


BX4216.M5 M56 1924 
Miller, Neva Pinkham. 
Behind convent walls. 





Write P..O. Box 54, St. Paul, Minn., 
For 


“THE HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD AS IT 
WAS AND AS IT IS.” 


PRICE 35c. 





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BEHIND 
CONVENT 
WALLS 


BY 
NEVA PINKHAM MILLER MOSS 


NINTH 
LIBRARY GBRAGNCETON 


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pPR 24 2009 


THEOLOCICAL SEMINARY 


Printed in United States 


Price 50 cents 


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COPYRIGHT 1924 
By 
NEVA PINKHAM MILLER “MOSS” 


WARNING 


All infringements will be prosecuted to 
the full extent of the law; and information 
regarding same will be appreciated. No 
books will be without serial number and 
copyright owner’s signature. 


DEDICATION 


To the citizens of America, who should 
know about these Catholic institutions of 
our United States, especially the House of 
the Good Shepherd; to the mothers, fathers 
and husbands of America; to all who love 
truth and virtue, this book is dedicated by 


THE AUTHOR. 


INTRODUCTION 


Religion is not composed of stone walls, 
steel doors and grated windows. The red- 
blooded Americans must fight more vigor- 
ously for the freedom of humanity. 


In every civilized nation on earth except 
America, these Roman prison houses have 
been suppressed. Yet nearly every city, 
large enough to support a laundry, contains 
one of these slave houses, supported by the 
surrounding Catholic and non-Catholic fam- 
ilies. 


We must protect the Constitution of our 
government, and deny certain foreign ele- 
ments the right to use our United States 
for their dumping ground. 


Yours faithfully, 


NEVA PINKHAM MILLER “MOSS.” 


> 





” 





HER HUSBAND 








NEVA MILLER MOSS AS A BABY 





NEVA’S ADOPTED MOTHER 


“NOW AND THEN” 


Back from the time of Christ there came, His Book 
of Books Divine. we | 

This Book is the Holy Bible, my friends, and it’s 
right here in our time. 


Down through the reign of Caesar, who would be 
God of all. 

His command was—all must go to death who clung 
to the word of God, 

And these were the Protestant people who paid 
the awful toll. 


For the first Denomination was a church of the 
Tyrant in Rome. 


He called it Universal, or Catholic, we all know; 


And said that dear St. Peter was the first Pope we 
must have, 

And that His Site would be in Rome, this made the 
Romans glad. 


But as Peter never was in Rome, and was a mar- 
ried man, 

The ruler and the word of God could not go hand 
in hand, 


So he wrote himself another Coes and called it 
holy, too, | 
But God is all the Eternal ‘life, and Caesar, no 
hand work knew. 


Our minds are small, God’s ways not ours, so we 
don’t understand 

Why the beast of Rome, on the’ seven hills, ‘still 
flourishes in the lands. 


When Protestant blood was spilled, 
God sent a man, Neranea who knew the Roman 


gilt. 


Then came the Inquisition, and the Pope fled from 
Rome, 


So Constantinople opened wide her arms and took 
the papa home. 


From the year three hundred and twenty-one, the 
reign of Constantine, 


They had the Masses for the dead, and all such 
things were seen. 


The years passed on until 1715, and the day of 
Luther came. 


Who with a wife did fly from the beasts of Rome, 
into the light of day. 


He translated our Holy Bible, from the Greek to 
the German tongue, 


And so on down to the present day the reclamation 
comes. 


The book of Revelations, we start to understand, 


As the word of war in Mexico resounds to our 
dear land. 


The Tyrant on the Tiber will make an awful stall, 


But he will find that we have men who now work 
through the law; 


The Convent doors will open wide, the dungeons 
meet the sun; 

This work, my friends, for you and I, has only just 
begun. ; 


I see the white-robed figures a marching on parade, 
And somehow, I believe this work upon their head 


is laid. 

And so I guess, to do our bit, we’d better be en- 
rolled, 

Keep old Glory high and dry, her beauty still un- 
soiled. 


I’m only just a girl you know, fighting in life’s 
battle, 


With a husband who has a heart of gold—just two 
beneath one mantle. 


The Twentieth Century faces us—with the great 
work just beginning,— . 


So depend on us, we will be right there with those 
behind the linen, 


To keep America Protestant, free public schools and 
press, 


And the future generation will thank us, too, I 
guess. 


I’ve paid the price the Nunnery asked. 
I’ve fell beneath the. lash— 


America, I love you, yes, love you most of all. 


We have a work to do, my friends, so come on now— 
don’t stall. 


By Ex-Nun Neva Miller Moss. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 15 


WHAT HAPPENED IN YORK WHEN OF- 
FICIALS TRIED TO SUPPRESS 
“ THE TRUTH 


In the Court of Quar- 
ter Sessions of the 


COMMONWEALTH Peace of York County, 
OF Pennsylvania. 

- PENNSYLVANIA APPEAL 
VS. from Summary Con- 


NEVA P. MILLER MOSS | Viction before E. S. 
Hugentugler, Mayor of 
the City of York. 


_ OPINION 
ON HEARING ON APPEAL 


Defendant was arrested by the police 
of the City of York on a charge of “disor- 
cerly conduct,” and was ordered by the May- 
or to be held without bail. Defendant ap- 
pealed to this Court by writ of Habeas Cor- 
pus and was released promptly by us on 
bail. In the habeas corpus proceeding 
this court had no jurisdiction to inquire in- 
to the merits of the case, 


Comm. vs. Norton, 8 8S. & R. 72. 
Comm. vs. Keeper of Jail, 26 Pa. 279. 


16 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


Dow’s. Case, 18 Pa. 37. 

Comm. vs. Ransley, 26 Dist. Rep. 1035. 

Comm. vs. Keeper of Co. Prison, 26 Dist. 

Rep. 511. 

and remanded the defendant back to the 
Mayor for a hearing. A hearing having 
been had and sentence imposed, defendant 
applied to this Court for leave to take an 
appeal, setting forth in a petition her rea- 
sons therefor. This Court passed upon the 
merits of that petition and allowed an ap- 
peal, in accordance with Sec. 14, Article V 
of the Constitution of Pennsylvania. 

Comm. vs. Johnston, 16 W. N. ©. 349. 

Comm. vs. McCann, 174 Pa. 19. 

Comm. vs. Eichenberg, 140 Pa. 158. 

Comm. vs. Menjou, 174 Pa. 25. 

The case now comes before this Court 
to be heard and tried upon its merits, de 
nove, and without a jury. 

Comm. vs. Waldman, 140 Pa. St. 89. 
Thompson vs. Preston, 5 Supr. 154. 
Comm. vs. Simpson, 33 Co. Ct. 188. 

The record sent up on this appeal does 
not show by whom the charge was made, 
whether by written complaint, or orally, 
what facts were alleged as constituting the 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 17 


offense, nor what ordinance was violated. 
These are requisites in the record of a 
case of summary conviction, Comm. vs. Di- 
veskein, 49 Supr. 614, and on certiorari 
would have caused the sentence of the May- 
or to be recersed. 

Comm. vs. Nesbit, 34 Pa. 398. 

Comm. vs. Borden, 61 Pa. 272. 

Reid vs. Wood, 102 Pa. 312. 

The record shows “Summary Proceed- 
ings for the violation of City Ordinance,” 
and on the margin ‘“‘Charge, Disorderly Con- 
duct.” At the time of the hearing the 
Commonwealth was permitted, over the 
objection of the defendant, to stipulate a 
formal charge, which was in the following 
words: “It is stipulated by counsel for 
Commonwealth that Neva P. Miller Moss 
did, on the 13th day of January, 1927, in 
the City of York, Pennsylvania, violate an 
ordinance of the said City of York, which 
ordinance was passed by Common Council 
on March 4, 1901, and approved March 12, 
1901, providing and directing the arrest and 
punishment of vagrants and any persons 
found begging or drunk or disorderly or 
committing any breach of the peace within 


18 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


the limits of the City of York.” Here fol- 
lows in full the ordinance above cited: 


The Court then defined the issue: Was 
defendant guilty of disorderly conduct; and 
indicated that the Commonwealth might 
sustain this charge either by showing dis- 
orderly conduct on the part of defendant, or 
that she by word or action incited or pro- 
voked others to disorderly conduct. 


The facts proven at this hearing are as 
follows: 


The Mayor of the City of York notified 
defendant that he would not permit her to 
talk in the City of York on the day she had 
advertised to talk, and would not allow her 
to hold a public meeting here which she 
had advertised to hold. On January 13, 
1927, defendant, agaipst the orders of the 
Mayor, proceeded to hold a meeting. The 
Mayor, being informed of that fact, ordered 
the police to go to the Knights of Malta 
Hall and if defendant was holding a public 
meeting to place her under arrest on a dis- 
orderly conduct charge.’ After the officers 
arrived at the Malta Temple defendant took 
the platform and was immediately placed 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 19 


under arrest and taken to City Hall. The 
officers testified that before her arrest 
there was no disorder in the room, and the 
only words which defendant is testified to 
have uttered at any time, either before or 
after her arrest, were that she ordered all 
the men out of the room, (the meeting being 


for ladies only), and ‘‘asked if everyone was 
with her.” 


While defendant was detained at City 
Hall a number of persons collected on the 
public street outside of City Hall, which the 
Mayor characterized as-a disorderly crowd. 
While the facts proven in the case show 
disorderly conduct by others, it was not 
proved, or attempted to be proved, that de- 
fendant engaged in this disorder, or was 
present, or incited, or provoked it. The 
charge of disorderly conduct resulting in 
this first arrest remains undisposed of by 
the Mayor. 


After defendant’s release on bail from 
this arrest, she seems to have left City Hall 
and proceeded on East Market St., as far as 
Graybill’s store. Whether she ever return- 
ed to Malta Temple, whether she ever re- 


20 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


sumed her speech, or attended any meeting 
at that or any other place was not proven, 
nor offered to be proven. What she did 
after that, what she was doing at the time 
of her second arrest, under what circum- 
stances the second arrest was made, are all 
facts left to the imagination. 


After she had been arrested a second 
time and after she had been brought to 
City Hall, it was shown that certain persons 
on the outside of City Hall created disor- 
der. At this time defendant was under 
arrest, inside City Hail, and as the Mayor 
frankly states, was creating no disorder, 
nor attempting to do so. 


The Commonwealth refrained from call- 
ing the public officers who made the sec- 
ond arrest, although at least one of them 
was present in court at the hearing of this 
case, and two of them had testified in the 
former hearing in habeas corpus proceed- 
ings. It was stated to the Court that one 
of them was sick; but no move was made to 
secure his testimony in this proceeding. 
The Court declines to go outside the record 
of this case. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 21 


This second arrest resulted in a hear- 
ing on a charge of disorderly conduct, and 
from the sentence imposed therein this ap- 
peal is taken. 

“Disorderly conduct” is one of rather 
nebulous and uncertain meaning, since it has 
been variously defined in different jurisdic- 
tions, and no definition of such precision 
is generally accepted as that it may always 
be readily determined whether particular 
conduct is or is not disorderly. One who 
commits a breach of the peace is, of course, 
guilty of disorderly conduct, but not all dis- 
orderly conduct is necessarily a breach of 
the peace, as where it is merely calculated 
to disturb or annoy. 

Garvin vs. Mayor and City of Waynes- 
boro, 84 S. E. 90. 
Mt. Sterling vs. Holtz, 57 S. W. 491. 

It has been held that noises, exclam- 
ations and outcries in the public street by 
which people are drawn together and the 
highway obstructed, constitute disorderly 
conduct. | 

Comm. vs. Spratt, 14 Phila. 365. 

Another Pennsylvania Judge has held 

that calling a non-union workman a scab 


22 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


during a period of public excitement is dis- 
orderly conduct. 
Comm. vs. Redshaw, 2 Dist. 96. 
That riotously raising a liberty pole in 
a public place is disorderly. 
Comm. vs. Morrison. Addison 274. 
Exhibiting an effigy calculated to pro- 
voke a breach of the peace. 
Comm. vs. Haines, 6 Pa. lL. J. 2389. 


And solicitations by a street walker is 
disorderly and constitute her a disorderly 
street walker. 

Comm. vs. Supt. House of Correction, 38 
Cc. C. 188. 

“In a broad sense disorderly conduct is 
any conduct that an orderly, well-disposed 
and law-abiding citizen would not engage in, 
but in the parlance of criminal law it is con- 
duct that disturbs the quiet of a neighbor- 
hood and affects the public; it is a species 
ef nuisance Tees: the public peace and 
tranquility.” 

Comm. vs. Moore, 12 York Legal Record, | 
115. 

To convict a defendant of being a dis- 
orderly person, it is necessary to show that 
defendant committed a disorder. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 23 


Comm. vs. Supt. of House of Correction, 
22 Dist. 423. 

The evidence in this case fails to show 
that defendant committed a disorder, or 
that she said or did anything which provok- 
ed or incited others to disorder. Although 
counsel for the Commonwealth stated that 
defendant had said things in her speech at 
the Malta Temple which incited others to 
disorder, they failed to produce witnesses to 
prove these statements. :The few words 
she is said to have uttered before her first 
arrest— ‘‘asked if everybody was with her,” 
are too vague and indefinite to draw a con- 
clusion that she was inciting her audience to 
follow her to City Hall and there indulge in 
a riot. And these words were spoken be- 
fore her first arrest and are doubtless _ in- 
cluded in the first charge for disorderly 
conduct which is still pending before the 
Mayor. . 

The burden of proving defendant guil- 
_ ty, as in all criminal cases, is upon the Com- 
monwealth. Defendant must be proven 
guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. ‘The 
Commonwealth’s proof does not measure up 
to this requirement. 


24 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


And now, to-wit: March 7, 1927, this 
appeal came on to be heard, and after argu- 
ment by counsel, and upon due consideration © 
of all the evidence in the case, it is adjudg- 
ed, ordered and decreed that the defendant, 
Neva P. Miller Moss, is not guilty of the 
charge of disorderly conduct in violation of 
an ordinance of the City of York entitled, 
“An Ordinance directing the arrest and 
punishment of vagrants and all persons 
found begging or drunk or disorderly or 
committing any breach of the peace within 
the limits of the City of York,” approved 
March 12, 1901, and it is further ordered ; 
that the defendant, Neva P. Miller Moss, be 
and is hereby discharged. 


By the Court, 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 25 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


CHAPTER I 


At the age of three years, I went to live 
with my widowed aunt, Mrs. Richard Stev- 
ens. I do not remember that, however, and 
I grew, believing her to be my own mother. 
I loved her dearly. She was very wealthy, 
and no childish wish was left ungratified. 

We lived in Mount Rose, Michigan. Mrs. 
Stevens was of a haughty, reserved nature 
to all but me. There were incidents in life 
she evidently cherished or wished to con- 
ceal. . 


We would drive out daily. Oh! how I 
loved nature. Although only seven years 
old now, the constant companionship of my 
elder made me just a little bit old-fashion- 
ed. The flowers, the trees, everything 
seemed to speak. I loved music, too, and 
many hours were spent drumming away at 
the old Chicaron, all discords, perhaps, yet 
young as I was it lulled the wild little spirit 
within me. I could sing some and hour 


26 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


after hour, seated at my supposed mother’s 
knee, I would sing with all my might. Even 
now I close my eyes—in fancy I see every- 
thing just as they were in childhood days. 
Why, I can even hear mother say, “Come, 
Neva, sit here and sing ‘Sweet Clover’ for 
mama.” 

-It was the year of 1901 and I was just 
past the kindergarten age, but my black- 
board and I were well acquainted. I had 
learned my time tables and many other use- 
ful things. Now, a teacher was necessary. 
So one morning, bright and early, I was in- 
troduced to Mrs. Mable Kitchen, who was 
to be my private teacher. She was a kind, 
even-tempered woman of about thirty-five 
years. Nearly three months went by nice- 
ly. I was not over studious, but the music 
hour was never long enough. Oh! If I 
could have seen then what life had in store 
for me. I noticed my mother was more si- 
lent; she would spend long hours locked in 
the back parlor, “she always did her writ- 
ing at her desk.” / 

I still played with my dolls and, so far 
in life, sorrow or trouble had never bother- 
ed me. In fact, I had never known a care. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 27 


But once or twice, traces of tears were 
on the pale face, and the proud lips would 
quiver as they kissed me. One evening— 
while I live I shall never forget it—-mama 
had been called away to Saginaw, Michigan, 
on business. She owned property there 
and I had often been there with her. 

Dear reader, let me here impress the fact 
that Mrs. Stevens was a strong Protestant 
and so far in life I had never even heard of 
a nun or a Catholic church. 


I do not know what prompted her mo- 
tive; perhaps will never know, but this I 
am positive of, that the next morning when 
I entered the “Saint Vincent de Paul’ or- 
phanage with my big doll clasped tight un- 
der one arm, I obeyed the nun as she bid 
me kiss mama good-bye. (I was to board 
there at seven dollars a week until mama 
came back, I heard them say.) The nun 
smiled at me very sweetly, and patted my 
yellow curls, but the big hat and strange 
dress of the lady made me shy. I answer- 
ed her with, “Yes, mam,”’ and was told to al- 
ways answer a religious with, “Yes Sister,” 
or, “No, Sister.” 


Dear friends, that day was the beginning 
of long, wasted years. From then on I 
gradually learned of life’s other side. 


28 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 





St. Mary’s Boarding School at Monroe, Mich., for- 
merly known as Sacred Heart Academy. Run 
by Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 29 


CHAPTER II 


The exact date of my entrance at Saint 
Vincent de Paul’s I do not remember. The 
surroundings I see so plainly that it seems 
like yesterday. 


The first days were spent crying. I was 
so completely overcome with home-sickness 
that my health was endangered. The other 
girls and boys offered me no consolation, 
but helped deepen my misery by calling me 
a Protestant bed-bug. 


One evening the children had been amus- 
ing themselves. at my expense; the Sister, 
too, seemed to enjoy it. She sat smiling, 
and nodding at the Catholic children, when 
Bessie Lions, another Protestant girl, per- 
haps my senior by four or five years, took 
part in the affair. 


She was a beautiful girl, with long, brown 
curls and big sorrowful brown eyes. Her 
mother had died and she had been placed 
there for adoption by relatives. ‘We are 
both going to be baptised, aren’t we, 
Neva?” she asked. I never hesitated, but 
answered, ‘‘Yes.” Other incidents are 


30 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS | 


blurred to my memory, but the result of my 
answer stands vividly out. 


The Sister made some smiling remark as 
she called me to her desk, took the keys 
and brought my big doll, “Hazel.” I was 
so glad to see my toy, it took me nearer 
home. I hugged and kissed her china face 
until I felt almost happy. The children 
nad all gathered around me; even the Cath- 
olics had forgotten I was only a Protestant 
“bed-bug.” But when eight o’clock and 
night prayers came, “Hazel” was replaced 
on her shelf and the door locked. That 
night and many others were spent in tears. 


The orphanage had no chapel, therefore 
we attended mass on Sunday and holy days 
only. We were marched two abreast, with 
Sisters at irregular intervals, six blocks 
away to Saint Mary’s church. 


Although my board .was paid, I shared 
no luxury. The regular “menu” consisted 
of oatmeal and coffee for breakfast. The 
meal was often burned and salt forgotten; 
the coffee, as I now remember, surely had 
lye and ink in it. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 31 


Dinner varied. We were given oleo once 
a week for one piece of bread. The even- 
ing meal was sure to be raw carrots, or 
stew, and tea with sugar and milk, boiled 
and reboiled. The tea alone finally became 
palatable. 


The first few months I was allowed to 
wander about the grounds unmolested; a 
ten-foot high wall surrounds the entire 
place. 


I never saw a school book. Every day 
a few of us took turns at washing. 


I had been at the orphanage a year now. 
Not once in all that time did I see anyone or 
receive one word from home. 


I now had a daily task of mending socks 
for the Priests of the town, except on Sat- 
urday, when another girl and myself were 
- named to scrub, wax and polish the Sisters’ 
hall floor. I had, through this work, learn- 
ed of their quarters. 


A little German girl, Mary Christie, had 
been suffering with ear-ache. The third 
day I finally decided to help her. I do not 
remember my own thoughts, but with Mary 


32 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


by the hand I rapped at a door in the Sis- 
ters’ hall. I can plainly see the Sister as- 
she opened the door. “What are you do- 
ing here?” she asked, with an ugly frown 
that really frightened me. But the sight 
of Mary’s suffering gave me courage. 
“Please, Sister,” I said, ‘“‘would you do 
something for Mary’s ear? It has hurt 
her three days.” The clinched fist of this 
‘holy” religious had come in contact with 
my little friend’s face. “Be gone, you bold 
child,’ she snarled. ‘‘How dare you come 
here?” Perhaps I was too young to under- 
stand how I had committed a crime, but 
time can never erase that cruel face from 
my memory. 


At Christmas Sister Saint Ann, our first 
mistress, showed me_ several boxes of 
candy, and farm clothes from home. She 
gave me one handkerchief. 


The boys and girls use the same dormi- 
tory; a Sister sleeps at each end of the 
room, but heavy white curtains surround’ 
their beds. 


At last the holidays were over. I had 
not been feeling well, and this morning my 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 33 


head and hands were hot. When I did not 
respond to the bell the Sister shook me, 
but was soon convinced of my condition. 


One of the older boys carried me to the 
infirmary, a cold, dreary little room with a 
single white iron bed. I dare say the room 
was seldom used—but I had the measles. 


That afternoon the same young man car- 
ried me out to the Sisters’ black hack, and, 
after fifteen months’ absence, I was once 
more in my own beautiful room in my own 
loved home, with dear Doctor Wilson at- . 
tending me. Sick though I was, I could 
have jumped into my mother’s arms. <A 
strong consciousness that I had been ne- 
glected possessed me, but at sight of that 
altered face my grievance was forgotten. 
She was very grey, and the proud, once 
erect figure, was now supported by a 
erutch. I can not describe that home 
coming; words would only seem a mockery. 
Mama had suffered with paralysis, which 
had rendered her nearly helpless. She had 


sent me messages, accompanied by the 
‘longed-for goodies, every week, but I had 


never received them. 


34 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


Time went on; summer came, but things 
were not the same. _ I always feared a re- 
turn to the orphanage. Had the mystic 
veil been drawn aside and the near future 
revealed, that I might choose, the de Paul’s 
would have been a paradise compared with 
the black veils of my future. No doubt, in 
either case my fate would have been the 
‘same. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 35 


CHAPTER III 


Perhaps, in this United States there are 
many girls and boys who have loved, trust- 
ed and obeyed parents who have no right 
to obedience or love. Adoption is all right, 
but I do not approve of deception. We all 
have a right to know who we are, who our 
parents were. 


But this subject I will eliminate- for the 
present and go back to the year of 1903. 
I was ten years old, full of life and health, 
looking forward to Christmas with all the 
enthusiasm of my years. Mama had im- 
proved wonderfully, poor dear; I believe she 
did love me. 


Before my entrance to St. Vincent’s visit- 
ors were not a frequency, but now I was 
always meeting someone—relatives I never 
knew I had. Mama’s sister, Mrs. Webb, I 
favored most, her daughter, Mrs. Francke, 
and her little girl, Lucy. These were the 
ones I loved best. An invisible magic drew 
me to Lucy. I could not help seeing that 
mama disapproved of our friendship; she 


was sometimes very indifferent to Mrs. 


36 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 





: 


HOUSE OF GOOD SHEPHERD, DETROIT, MICH. 


1. Ironing room on entire floor ; 
2. Packing room 
3. Low roof over dryer in wash house. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 37 


Francke. Had I been older JI would, no 
doubt, have given the subject serious con- 
sideration ; inquisitiveness would have 


prompted me to ask the nature of this 
lengthened feud. Mr. Francke, with his’ 
wife and daughter, had returned from a 
Western trip, yet I was forbidden to visit 
them alone. 

Relatives had gathered for the New 
Year. It was lucky for me that Mrs. How- 
lette of Detroit, Michigan, came, for in af- 
ter years it was she alone I was able to lo- 
cate. New Year’s bells rang out once 
more. How happy I was now. I had 
ceased to think of the orphanage. I had 
everything the heart could wish for. Mama 
and I would soon be alone. I believe I was 
glad when the last guests took their leave. 

One evening mama had been writing; the 
desk was strewn with papers. I sat down 
in her chair to await her return when my 
attention was attracted by a strange look- 
ing envelope with “Neva’s Papers” written 
upon it. I held it aloft, while a sense of 
approaching evil possessed me. Then I 
drew forth the contents; in large print I 
read, “The Estate of Neva I. Pinkham.” 


28 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


Mama had re-entered the room; she knew 
what I had read. ‘‘Why have you molest- 
ed my papers?” she asked me. “I want 
to know who I am,” I cried. “Oh! I thought 
you were my mother.” At last she put 
her arm around me, “Neva, haven’t I al- 
ways been a good mother to you? I was 
a lonely woman; you were a beautiful little 
child, and your baby arms around my neck, 
with that curly head pillowed against my 
breast, brought happiness into my life once 
more. You came to visit me first, but 
when they took you away they took every- 
thing worth while. You were only three 
years old, and would never remember, we 
knew. Mrs. Francke is your mother, 
Neva. You are my heir; tell mama what 
you think.” I had been thinking, too; I 
had a strong respect for principle. 


That interview ended. I intended never 
to mention the subject again, but try as I 
may, I did not feel the same. The _ trust 
I had felt in mama had left me, never tu 
return. It was soon after agreed that I 
was to enter boarding school. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 39 


CHAPTER IV 


What seems so very strange to me is that 
the general impression among Protestants 
is that girls receive a far superior education 
in a convent school to that in any Protestant 
institution. 


This is, however, a great mistake. A 
convent education cannot, under any cir- 
cumstances, be called a practical one, and 
will never fit the pupil in after years, 
should necessity require it, to teach in any 
advanced school. Most of the time is de- | 
voted to accomplishments and the Sisters 
will find out just what particular accom- 
plishment, if any, the pupil may have an 
aptitude for, and will accordingly cultivate 
it. The education, as a whole, is superfi- 
cial. 

Protestant parents, in confiding their 
children to the Roman Catholic Sisters, do 
not seem to realize that they are surround- 
ing them with all the influences of Roman 
- Catholicism. 

Such parents seem only too glad to be- 
lieve that the Sisters never interfere with 
the religious principles of their Protestant 


40 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 





MAIN ENTRACE HOUSE OF GOOD SHEPHERD 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 41 


pupils, and by this means try to relieve 
themselves of the moral responsibility they 
are under to God. Many, however, in af- 
ter years shed bitter tears when they 
find that the church has succeeded in cap- 
turing their loved ones. Oh! how much 
would parents endure, if by so doing they 
could recall the unwise, unjust act of com- 
mitting the child of their love to the subtle 
influences of Catholic Sisterhood! A Roman 
Catholic priest or nun is Justified in break- 
ing the most sacred promise made to a 
Protestant, if by so doing the interest of 
the church be served. In fact, no prom- 
ise is made by either without mental reser- 
vation. 


It was at the Sacred Heart Academy that 
I, after careful selection, was at last enter- 
ed to gain my education. Tome, during 
my school days, the Sisters were ever kind 
and considerate. I remember that they 
took particular pains in instructing me in 
the art of embroidery and fine needlework. 


At last the term was ended; preparations 
were made for vacation. How the old as- 
sociations come back to me tonight, and I 


42 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 





Lafayette Street door through which I ran away ' 
to my aunt’s. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 43 


fancy once more I can see the faces of 


school friends, and hear the merry laugh- 
ter resounding on the play ground! 


Yes, they were happy days, the happiest 
I ever spent, when no shadows came _ to 
darken my path and life was one happy 
dream. But how well I remember the 
first real cloud that darkened the horizon! 
It came when I had returned for my second 
term. One bright, beautiful afternoon 
Sister Mary ~-Elizabeth announced that on 
the morrow I was one of the few permitted 
to go, as I had chosen, where I could lead 
a good “holy” life, away from the wicked 
world. How enthused I was. Although 
a Protestant, I had often expressed the de- 
sire to enter a religious life. 


The surprise was so great I asked no 
questions. Georginia and Erna St. James 
were to be transferred with me. Erna is 
now Sister Fabiola of the Good Shepherd 
Magdalene house, Louisville, Ky., while 
Georginna is dead. 


Tonight I look back over the past. Where 
are they now, the friends of my childhood? 
I have passed through bitter sorrow and 


44 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


temptation and tonight, as the utter loneli- 
ness of my position reveals itself to me, I 
bow down my head, unable to keep back 
the sobs that arise from a heart full of 
grief. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 45 


CHAPTER V 


One week has passed and I have been un- 
able to write—one week since I laid down 
my pen after writing the last chapter, and 
I have had a bitter struggle against the 
temptation to leave uncompleted this task 
of mine. 


We arrived at our destination accompan- 
ied by Sister Mary Agnes and Sister Mary 
Theodotous. After alighting from the 
train, we were soon seated in a carriage. 


When we arrived in front of the great 
massive door and rang the bell, the grille 
was soon opened in response and the face 
of a Sister was seen peering through. On 
hearing who we were she immediately open- 
ed the door and admitted us. Entering, 
we found ourselves in a cool, marble-tessel- 
ated cloister. The Sister, who I afterwards 
learned was Sister Mary ‘Theresa, was 
dressed in black serge. The black skirt 
was made very full, and clasped round the 
waist with blue woolen cords and tassels, 
which hung down her left side; from the 
white bonnet fell her black veil. On her 


46 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 





GRAVES OF THE MOTHERS WHO DIED SINCE. 
NEVA WAS IN GRAND RAPIDS 


' (There were no graves at that time.) 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 47 


breast, attached to the black woolen braid, 
was a silver heart. She ushered us into 
the parlor and left us. Whilst she was 
gone I had an opportunity to look around 
the room. This I did, taking in with a 
glance all its details. The floor was void 
of carpet, but the boards were scrupulously 
clean and polished. There were religious 
pictures adorning the walls, a table, three 
or four chairs and an altar with the statue 
of the Virgin Mary. A red lamp burned 
-thereon. 

In a short time the parlor door opened 
and a black veiled nun entered. She was 
Mother Saint Stanislaus, the superior of the 
convent. This Sister had a great deal of 
character in her face. She was not what 
one would term handsome, but there was a 
peculiar charm about her in face, voice and 
manner that was irresistible. She had a 
great deal of personal magnetism and was 
thoroughly devoted to her work. On en- 
tering the room, Mother Superior greeted 
us very pleasantly. Then followed a lengthy, 
private conversation with the Sacred Heart 
Sisters. After this we were led through a 
second cloister, turning to the right. We 


4§ BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 





THE, CARMELITE NUNNERY, 
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. 


This Convent is in no Way Connected with the 
House of the Good Shepherd 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 49 


found ourselves in the clothes room, or the 
room in which we laid aside our street 
dress and put on the convent uniform. In 
this room I saw Mother Saint Amy, first 
mistress of the Preservation, or Immacu- 
late Heart class. 

Mother Saint Amy conducted us to the 
class room. There were groups of chil- 
dren ranging from six months to fourteen. 
years in this class, the larger ones each 
having in her hand a piece of crochet work. 
At the far end of the room on a raised dais 
was seated a Sister dressed as Mother Saint 
Amy. This was Mother Saint Caculty, 
second mistress of the Preservates. She 
rose and left the room in silence. As she 
did so, looking over her’ spectacles, she 
“took you in,” if I might be allowed to so 
express myself. Mother Saint Amy then 
inspected some completed tasks while we 
waited, then seated herself at the throne. 
We, the newcomers, knelt in turn for a 
few words of advice. I was then given in. 
charge of Laura Penny. My task was 
thirty pairs of baby booties a day. 

Time went by and gradujally, as no word 
came from home in answer _to my letters, a 


50 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 





HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD 
New Building Under Construction at the Corner of ' 
Waker and Lincoln Streets, Grand Rapids, 
Michigan, 1927 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 51 


terrible feeling of home-sickness again 
possessed me. All mail is censored by the 
Mother in charge. A child must learn 
that if her letters leave the convent, noth- 
ing but love for the Sisters and horror at 
the thought of having to leave this “‘holy” 
institution must ever be expressed. 


There were two hundred inmates in the 
sewing class at this time. In actual count, 
one girl brings to the convent $253.1214 per 
year. Her clothing costs $6.00 per year, 
making a profit for the papal system of 
$247.1214. Therefore the Immaculate 
Heart class of Detroit, Michigan, in the 
year of 1906 accumulated from its two hun- 
dred inmates $50,625.00; clothing cost 
$1,200.00; net profit of $49,425.00. 


It was at the close of three years that I, 
among others, for trying to run away, was 
destined for the penitent, or Sacred Heart 
class, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 714 Walker 
Ave. Among the other girls was Pearl 
Smith, renamed Beatrice, who succeeded in 
making her escape some years later. How 
I would love to talk with her tonight. 


52 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


The night previous to our transfer, I 
slept in the Mother’s infirmary. We went 
to mass the next morning in the Mother’s 
chapel and ate our breakfast in their 
kitchen. Then, before’ leaving the con- 
vent for the union station, we were taken 
through the underground passage over to 
the Father’s home. This passage goes 
right under 19th street. The reason for 
this passage I do not know, but this I do 
know, that it is there and that I went 
through it that morning to _ receive the 
priest’s blessing before the journey. 


This year of 1926 in order to further mis- 
lead the public, in many cities the House of 
the Good Shepherd has been re-named to 
St. Alphonius, St. Mary’s, etc., Training 
School for Girls. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 53 


CHAPTER VI 


Although the convent at Detroit has a 
penitent class, I never heard one word re- 
garding it during my three years there. 


And now we entered the Mothers’ house, 
which is a frame building some distance 
from the girls’ house. Mother Saint Laura 
was the Superior; Mother Saint Rosily, the 
assistant Superior; Mother Saint Albert, 
the first mistress of the class and Mother 
Saint Henry, the second mistress of the 
class. 


I mention all these names because I have 
so often been accused by Roman Catholics 
of never having been in the convent and, 
as so few years have elapsed since the day 
I left that institution, no doubt all, or at 
least the-greater number I have named, are 
still there. 


Mother Saint Rosily is now the Superior 
in Grand Rapids, while Mother Saint AI- 
bert is the Superior of the Indianapolis, In- 
diana, House of the Good Shepherd. The 
‘name of the priest at Grand Rapids was 
Father Corbet. 


54 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


I am aware that many who have tried to 
injure me have said the House of the 
Good Sheprerd was a prison reformatory. 
This is absolutely and emphatically false. 
The government has nothing to do with it; 
neither have prison officials. It is an in- 
stitution where, under the guise of an edu- 
cation school for girls, you will find many 
victims of priestly persecution, whose 
greatest crime is that they believed in the 
priesthood, trusted individual priests, only 
to find that their lives had become wrecked 
and ruined. 


As we followed Mother Saint Albert 
across the lawn, a low humming sound at- 
tracted my attention. It was the roar of 
the machinery which operates the laundry, 
where hundreds of beautiful young girls 
drudged out their daily existence, helpless 
lost to the world and their loved ones. Each 
door was unlocked for our entrance and 
then relocked. 


Unlike the Preservation Class, the win- 
dows here were barred and painted so that 
God’s bright sunshine could not enter in. 


On the second floor was the class room, 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 55 


also used as the chapel. The ironing room 
came next. Isat down in one of the chairs 
facing the altar, while Mother went to her 
throne. 


There I sat, staring into space, every 
drop of red blood in my veins was at the 
boiling point. There arose before me home 
and mama; years seemed to have passed 
since last I saw her. 


My reverie was interrupted by a tapping 
on the desk. Mother motioned me to her. 


In the Sacred Heart Class it is customary 
in all Good Shepherd convents to change the 
name of each girl. JI was there known as 
Mildred. 


As I returned to my seat a whispering 
commotion attracted my attention. A door 
was pushed ajar, and there, staring at me, 
were four or five girls with wild eyes, starv- 
ed faces and hair cut tight to their heads. 
I stared, too. One girl smiled; I returned 
the friendly salutation. Poor creatures, a 
new girl always caused excitement; there 
was always a hope in every heart that 
some one we knew may come and bring 
word from the world. 


/ 


56 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


Then another nun appeared. She was 
dressed at the regular white habit, but her 
veil was of white linen. This garb signi- 
fies the “lay nun.” This was Mother Saint 
Katherine, who had charge of the ironing 
room. . 


I have always wondered about this wo- 
man. She was always good and kind to 
me, and oftentimes unobserved I have 
watched her as, lost in thought, with a sad 
far off look in her dear eyes, while some- 
thing very similar to a tear drop would ap- 
pear. Was she thinking of home and lov- 
ed ones? Of her “Ireland?” She had 
given up all and come to America through 
the persuasion of a friend to join the Good 
Shepherd order. Her belief was to help 
some poor soul. If she had dared to have 
spoken, I wonder what disappointment she 
would have expressed. 


Oh! how many sad, _ heart-breaking 
stories could the walls of the “Good Shep-, 
herd convent” reveal if they were but able 
to speak? How many would tell? How 
some priests, who now walk with uplifted 
heads, would shrink away from the gaze of 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 57 


their fellowmen, if their dark evil deeds 
were known! And how unnecessary would 
such penitential nunneries be, if it were not 
for a licentious and lecherous priesthood ? 
These holy celibates, who are wolves in 
sheeps’ clothing, and who, under the cas- 
_ sock, carry a heart full of corruption, who 
know no pity when seeking to lure a young 
and innocent girl into sin—oh, how easy 
the church of Rome makes it for such lepers 
by placing the victim in a house of penance 
-and the child born of sin into one of the 
fondling hospitals under the care of the Sis- 
ters of Saint Vincent de Paul. I do not 
hesitate to say that seventy-five per cent 
of the children in these institutions are the 
illegitimate offsprings of Roman Catholic 
priests. And Protestants sometimes vie 
with each other in giving large donations 
to support these fondling hospitals. 

I have often been asked whether nun- 
neries are places where Roman Catholic 
priests commit immorality with the Sisters. 


All I can say is, that when a woman enters 
such an institution and takes her vow of 


obedience, she is told that she must do 
what ever is requested of her. 


58 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


She must sink her individuality into that 
of her spiritual superiors; and, should she 
be told to do anything that is against her 
conscience, then she is told that the moral 
obligation of sin rests upon the one who 
told her under obedience to commit it and 
that all she has to do is to be obedient. — 
Should she still hesitate, then her life be- 
comes a perfect hell on earth. For her 
there is no womanly sympathy. She is 
told that any intercourse between herself 
and the priest is similar in character to the 
shadowing of the Holy Spirit on the Virgin 
Mary; her duty is to submit to him, for the 
union thus effected is blessed and voiced of 
God and is “holy.” It is usual for a Sister 
to go into retreat for one day when expect- 
ing a visit from these “holy fathers.” 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 59 


CHAPTER VII 


The door through where I had seen the 
white veiled Mother first was now opened, 
but all I could see were stairs leading up 
and some down. Many poorly garbed girls 
were gradually collecting. My attention 
was called to one, who wore an enormous 
red flannel tongue tied and so arranged 
that it hung from below the under lip. This 
was her punishment for speaking during 
silence time. 


Others wore their dresses wrong side 
out; others had a garment of some _ kind 
pinned on their back because they had 
scorched it while ironing. 


At least fifty or sixty girls had taken 
seats in silence, while Mother commenced 
the catechism instructions, until the sup- 
per bell rang. 


Several girls wore a black serge dress, 
the skirt of which was full and gathered 
into a waist cut open at the neck in a V- 
shape, displaying a white handkerchief; 
over the shoulders was worn a small black 
merino shawl, brought across the bosom 


60 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 





1. Laundry 

2. Penitents’ yard 

5. End of porch from which I 
my ankle 

4, Class room 

5-6-7. Dormitories. 


jumped and broke 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 61 


and pinned down in front, on the back of 
this shawl the letters I. H. S. are embroid- 
ered in white cotton; the ends of the shawl 
are tucked under a black apron. <A brown 
leather belt is clasped around the waist, and 
a white woolen cord, to which are attached 
tassels, is also worn around the waist and 
allowed to hang down the left side. These 
cords have seven knots, in honor of the 
seven dolours of the Blessed Virgin; and 
on the right side is suspended a chaplet 
made of black wooden beads. Around the 
neck is pinned a black , woolen braid, to 
which is attached a flat silver cross. A 
white starched bonnet and skull cap com- 
pletes the attire. These girls are conse- 
crated penitents, but are not considered 
nuns. ‘They work, sleep and eat with the 
other girls. Consecrate Mary Gertrude took 
me by the hand and we followed down to 
the refectory. Two tables about fifty 
feet in length were placed on each side of 
this room. Every girl has her own place; 
each plate has the supper already upon it. 
The meal consisted of something similar to — 
soup. I turned sick as my eyes rested on 
several dead flies and little ants floating 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 





Community room of the Magdelenes. 
Press room lens 


The inner door. 





BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 63 


around. I noticed another girl picking 
some out. Big trays of bread were pass- 
ed, but each piece was thickly seeded with 
roaches. I could not eat, so I sat listening 
to the life of some saint being read aloud, 
which was customary during all meals. Af- 
ter the meal, we returned to the class room 
for more prayers before we were allowed 
to talk. Then each consecrate and the 
Mothers takes a group. ‘This is done so no 
two girls can converse privately. All care 
is taken that no girl may tell anything re- 
garding herself; then, in case one should 
go home, she cannot help her unfortunate 
friend. 


At eight o’clock night prayers and grand 
silence begins; the class room is placed in 
order for the morning’s mass. One hour 
is given to retire; each girl has a single 
white iron bed, a wash dish and comb. No 
mirrors are allowed in the ‘“‘“House of the 
Good Shepherd.” 


Mother Saint Albert made the rounds 
and sprinkled each one with “holy water” 
in the sign of the cross. The lights were 
then extinguished. I did not cry as I lay 


64 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


awake for some time listening to the heavy 
breathing of some poor weary soul, or the 
moan of some one in pain. At last, com- 
pletely exhausted, I fell asleep. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 65 


CHAPTER VIII 


Awakened next morning by the loud ring- 
ing of the nun’s bell, I forgot for a moment 
where I was, but one glance around the 
room brought everything back to my mem- 
ory. So, dressing myself, I descended to 
the class room and engaged in morning 
prayers, which were led by Mother Saint 
Albert. At last Father Corbet made his 
appearance and entered the sacristy ; Moth- 
er Assistant was busy dressing the altar. I 
managed to look around; eight or ten nuns 
had taken their places back of us. 

When at last mass was over, Father Cor- 
bet took his leave and we retained our seats 
until the breakfast bell rang. I found the 
place appointed me. ‘There sat the un- 
touched soup from the night before and a 
saucer of black molasses. This was the 
regular breakfast. Chickery was served 
at all meals. On leaving the refectory, 
each girl went to her daily task. Strict 
silence must be kept during the ten hours 
at work. 

I was placed at the mangle under Mother 
Saint Ann. I will not try to explain the 


66 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


trials of my first few days’ labor; each 
night found me with aching head and tired 
back, too weary to even think. 


Dear reader, try to realize, for my pen 
cannot explain, how these long weary years 
dragged by. During that time Father 
Corbet had taken a great interest in me. 
I was given music and vocal lessons through 
his influence; these I studied during my 
play time. I never gained favor with 
Mother Saint Albert. In fact, I believe 
she disliked me more because Father Cor- 
bet favored me. | 


To wear my dress six months at a time 
was nothing new. I had become acquaint- 
ed with all breeds of body and _ head lice; 
big sores covered my head. My hair had 
long been cut off, yet my spirit never fail-— 
ed me. Each punishment inflicted only 
made me more determined to run away some 
time. 


I had been working in the ironing room . 
for the past few months; my board was 
stationed near the hall door. One day a 
terrible screaming and _ calling for help 
brought every girl to a standstill. Egnishes 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 67 


a girl from the washroom, was being drag 
ged by three consecrates up the dormitory 
stairs. I knew what this meant. To re- 
ceive a cold water bath is bad enough, but 
at times water which has been used to soak 
sanitary clothes is used for these duckings. 
My lungs are now affected, caused from a 
bath in this filthy water, after which I was 
whipped on my wet night gown until I 
fainted. 


Dear reader, Catholic or Protestant, stop 
and think. Is this right? Will you go 
on unconcerned; contented to let these con- 
ditions exist? Those poor girls have as 
much right to their liberty as you or I, and 
they cry out to you 100 per cent Americans 
to get them out. 


One day I had been transferred to the 
body ironer. All my efforts were in vain 
to manage it; I was too light to hold down 
the peddle and the iron was too high. At 
last I gave up and went to tell Mother Saint 
Albert I could not do the work. I was or- 
dered to kneel before the statue of the vir- 
gin with my arms extended straight out 
from my shoulders. ‘This is a very hard 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 








The house crossed is the Mother’s house, and the 
only building there when I was in , 


Grand Rapids 


O71 





BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 69 


position to hold for one hour, and gradual- 
-ly my back and arms grew numb; _ every 
ligiment seemed to break. My arm was 
all burned from my efforts at the body 
ironer, while my hand dropped as if paraly- 
zed. Father Clark, who was visiting the 
Mothers that day, lit a match and placed 
it under my fingers. This was to show 
me what I would suffer in purgatory for 
disobedience to the nuns. I was _ finally 
placed at the wringer in the wash room. In 
our city laundries, men do this work. 


As I live my past over, the faces of those 
whose fate has been far worse than mine, 
appear to me. How plain I see Noberta 
Imez, convent name Alberta, a_ brilliant 
musician. 


It is customary in the House of the 
Good Shepherd that once yearly the girls — 
have a seven-day retreat, which means 
seven day of strict silence, living over the 
past, making a clean breast in the confes- 
sional. Protestant girls as well as Catholic 
are persuaded to take advantage of this 
period is order to get the priests’ advice. 
Father Bazel, a “Jesuit,” was engaged for 


70 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS — 


the retreat I have in mind. I remember 
well the handsome countenance of the young 


priest. I also remember Alberta paying 


frequent and lengthy visits to the confes- 
sional. Several months after the retreat 
outward signs proved that this beautiful 
girl had contracted a venereal disease. The 
shapely hands were dotted with proud flesh; 
the mass of red gold hair had fallen out. 
Although the nuns saw her condition, she 
was compelled to iron, handling the clothes 
sent in from the world, through which the 
disease could easily be spread. We who 
were innocent of the danger were never 
warned. At-last the case turned to insan- 
ity. This girl was removed from the con- 
vent in a straight jacket by four Grand 
Rapids City police and is now an inmate of 
the Pontiac insane asylum. 


Information has been received that Miss — 


Imez was transferred from Pontiac to Trav- 


ers City Asylum. I would be pleased to 


have my readers inquire there. 


~——— - 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 71 


CHAPTER IX 


It is my aim to tell as near as possible 
every incident of my experience in  rota- 
tion. 

The daily routine never changed; days 
came and passed until I became like a part 
of the old machinery; I had lost all hope 
in prayer. What was the use of it all, 
they were repeated so often in the same 
sing-song manner? My childhood was 
passing, yet no way of-escape presented it- 
self. | 

At last a baptism class was formed. 
Father Corbet suggested that I become a 
Catholic and keep house for him. This 
suggestion brought hope, and I consented 
to take instructions. 

It was the three-day retreat before bap- 
tism. I entered the confessional, knelt 
down and went through the regular form, 
which is to say, “Bless me, Father, for I 
have sinned. I confess to Almighty God 
and, you, Father, that I have sinned.” Then 
the commandments are taken in rotation. 


Dear friends, I knew the commandments 
but the definition of some words I did not 
know. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


+] 
bo 


It was my turn now. Father Corbet 
knew I was innocent, as he explained, and 
used God’s own laws to poison my mind. 
Sex and maternity were dwelt upon most. 
The next day, as he administered the sac- 
rament of baptism, there was something 
in his look and the pressure of his hand 
that bade me beware. 


First communion and confirmation fol- 
lowed in turn; the Child of Mary medal was 
given us, and we were allowed to ask for 
the consecration dress. The consecrated 
penitents embroidery the most beautiful 
priestly vestments and altar clothes; paint 
Christmas and Easter cards; copy music 
and manuscripts for composers and auth- 
ors; make elegant fancy work for Roman 
Catholic affairs, and _ fill all orders for 
needle work from the large stores. 


Then, large sums of money are contri- 
buted by philanthropic people among Prot- 
estants, who do not look under the surface 
to the principle underlying the conventual 
system, as well as to the doctrine of Roman 
Catholic | confessional. How vauntingly 
the church points at her charitable institu- 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 73 
f 


tions as monuments of her greatness and is 


perpetually begging funds for support, 
when the real fact is that they are in every 
ease self-supporting and more than _ self- 
supporting. 

Then, she claims that the system of auri- 
cular or secret confession to the priest 
alone has a great moral restrictive power 
over vice and immorality when it can not 
really be—nay, has been proven that the 
debasing and demoralizing influence of this 
same doctrine of auricular confession has 
made it imperative to build just such clois- 
tered institutions as the House of the Good 
Shepherd, where the victims of a debauch- 
ed and lecherous priesthood are incarcerat- 
ed so that the world may not become fam- 
iliar with the thousands of lives ruined and 
blasted through priestly solicitation. 

Yes, it is true; the world does not know 


these things, but a time is coming when it 
will. 


The time will come when these vile de- 
bauchers at the judgment bar of God will 
meet their victims; innocent girlhood, pure 


womanhood and murdered infants will rise 


up against them there at _ that tribunal 


74 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


where all are judged alike. These priests 
will receive from a just and angry God a 
just but awful punishment. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 75 


CHAPTER X 


I was found qualified and had taken the 
vows of a consecrate; Mary Helen was my 
name. Quite unexpectedly I was transfer- 
‘red back to Detroit, Michigan, Sacred Heart 
class, accompanied by Father Joseph 
Schrembs, now bishop of Cleveland, Ohio, 
11925. 

Mother Saint Stanislaus was still there; 
Mother Saint Gerald, assistant, and Mother 
saint Eugene were the first mistresses of 
the penitents. They have on the average 
of two hundred girls at all times in this 
class. Some have spent from twenty-five 
to thirty-five years there. 

Rita was one, and liked nothing better 
than to make life miserable for some one. 
It was in charge of this miserable old maid 
that I was placed to work in the packing 
room. From there I went to the mangle 
room under Mother “Holy Rosary,’ and 
then to the ironing room under Mother 
‘Saint Frances. This woman was horrible; 
she seemed to enjoy giving penance. 

Six months, the worst of all my exper- 
‘ience, passed. Every day I was called up- 





76 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


on to assist in the torture of some poor 
girl, nearly always the victims of spite 
work. | 


I was constantly kneeling at Mother’s 
feet, and humiliated by having to kiss the 
floor or the hem of her garment. At last 
I resolved to take one desperate chance. 


To enter the class room from the laun- 
dry, we were obliged to cross the yard. <A 
porch extended the entire length of this- 
building, screened in at the end facing the 
street. The girls were not allowed within 
ten feet of this screening; a Mother or con- 
secrate is always stationed near here when 
the girls are at play. A high board wall 
extends from the porch out to a main high 
board wall. Beyond the board wall is one 
of the same height made of brick, about two — 
feet thick. This has barbed wire attached 
to the top. 


One day about one p. m. Mother Saint 
Kugene and Bernidene were seated at the . 
throne conversing. I walked to the far — 
end of the veranda, stepped over the rail- 
ing and walked the 2x4 of the narrow wall. 
I was soon over on the brick wall, As I 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS (7 


stood contemplating the distance to the 
ground, some one from the washroom win- 
dow screamed, “Run away.” Glancing to- 
ward the class room door, I saw Mother 
Saint Eugene shaking her fist at me and 
calling, “Wait until we get you back, you 
scoundrel.” I believe it was this’ that 
caused me to lose my presence of mind, 
for, landing on the ground, I was rendered 
helpless with a broken ankle. Two young 
men were passing but would not heed my 
call. It may be that the approach of two 
policemen prompted their actions. I can- 
not say. 


One man, a big Irishman, took me rough- 
ly by the arm. ‘The other I’m sure was a 
Protestant, for there were tears in his eyes 
as he asked me why I was trying to escape. 
I told him the place was terrible, and I was, 
oh! so lonesome. 


“Poor little girl,” he said, “I know what 
it is; ?ve been homesick myself.” By this 
time Mother Saint Threse and Mother Saint 
Blanch had met us. The Irish officer was 
all smiles as they thanked him for stopping 
my disgraceful actions. I do not remem- 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 








SIDE VIEW OF PRESERVATE’S BUILDING 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 79 


ber any more, as the pain of my ankle caus- 
ed me to faint. 

When I “came to” several of the black 
veiled nuns had me_ seated upon the side 
of the bath tub in the Mother’s infirmary, 
with my broken ankle under the cold water 
faucet. 

The finger of shame was pointed at me 
from all sides. Mother Saint Augusta alone 
looked at me in her usual sad sweet way. 
Mother Saint Frances said it was a pity I 
did not break my neck, and I believe I 
agreed with her. Mother Saint Gerald 
bandaged up the break. Then I was car- 
ried over to the refectory, the serving 
table that stands at one end of the room 
was moved aside, and a trapdoor opened. 
My plea not to be taken down into that 
terrible darkness was not heeded and I was 
left lying alone on a pile of musty rags to 
do my penance. 

Here, in this damp, unhealthy dungeon, 
I lay six long months, lacking just three 
days. Tea and hard bread was given me 
twice daily, but I grew pale and weak. When 
at last I was released, winter in all its mys- 
tic beauty greeted me. 


S50 ~- ,. BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


I was not allowed to speak to any one, 
but after five days of silence, seated in the 
center of the class room, several of my 
friends knelt down before Mother Saint 
Eugene, kissed the floor, and asked her to 
forgive me. Forgiveness was granted me, 
providing I go to each Mother in the laun- 
dry and ask their forgiveness also. After 
this humiliating ordeal, I was placed at 
folding sheets in the mangle room under 
Mother Holy Rosary. 

This became almost a pleasure. I did 
my work well and was not molested. I 
spent my play time embroidering. 

It is considered a great disgrace to have 
the consecration dress taken away. Mine 
was taken from me on entering the dung- 
eon, so now I was “just one of the girls.” — 

The laundry is rather a warm place _ to 
work in all seasons. Now, with snow a 
foot deep, we were made to undress our 
feet and spend fifteen minutes each noon 
wading in it. This would make us healthy, 
Mother Saint Amelia said, but proved to be 
the reverse for many of us. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 81 


CHAPTER XI 


It is true that sixteen years is a long 
time. Somehow, I believe it is longer to 
the young. 


Mother Saint Eugene gradually seemed 
to see some good traits in my character, 
for she now called me her little music mas- 
ter. I played the organ for the choir. 


And oftentimes she would call me to her, 
comparing my many talents with some 
poor afficted girl. She never tired in tell- 
ing me how I ought to spend my talents in 
the services of God. 


The Detroit convent has a large Magda- 
lene house; and this is where Mother Saint 
Eugene suggested that I go. The Magda- 
lenes do embroidery work for their  sup- 
port. They wear a brown habit and black 
veil. 

The question was often alluded to in the 
confessional. Father once told me if I did 
not enter the cloister, I would be cursed; I 
would never know the fond love of a hus- 
band, or would baby lips ever call me moth- 
er. His were hard, cruel words and I final- 


82 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 





Windows of Priest’s parlors with Preservate 
seen washing them. 

Door on 19th through which final escape was 
made as a Sister Magdelene. 


BEHIND CONVENT. WALLS 83 


ly consented, partly through fear of the 
curse. Imagine the power that a Catholic 


priest has over a young girl in her teens, 
yea, over any female member of their con- 
gregation. When you dwell upon the doc- 
trines taught these girls and women, it 
will be a matter of surprise that the priest 
craft wields such a powerful influence over 
them. 


When you force childhood to believe in 
the infallibility of the priest craft, you edu- 
cate the mind of that child to implicitly be- 
lieve in the officials of the Catholic church. 
And when you gain the implicit confidence, 
you have established a belief that cannot 
be easily eradicated, as this belief has be- 
come a part of that child, and as it grows 
older, this erroneous belief grows in _pro- 
portion to the body. And by the time this 
child has arrived at the age of maturity, 
she is as densely ignorant of the cunning 
of this doctrine as she was when she first 
learned to repeat the catechism with a 
childish lisp. 

We desire to preface this chapter with - 
common sense arguments, so that the read- 
er may thoroughly understand how com- 


84 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


pletely the female element of the Catholic 
church is under the control of the priest- 
hood of this institution. Priests are, as 
a rule, men of more than average intellect, 
and, as they have no _ other calling or no 
other avocation in life than to make good 
impressions upon their members, they of 
course become cunning in their art, espec- 
ially with the female members of their con- 
gregations, and more especially with their 
young and handsome members. 


If we expect America to retain her place 
among the nations of intelligence and na- 
tions of greatness, and nations of goodness 
-and Godliness, we must be character build- 
ers, for without character we can never ex- 
pect to reach the zenith of Godliness, and 
without Godliness individual greatness is 
an impossibility. 

Catholicism paints the countenances of 
her followers with the brush of ignorance 
and criminality. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 85 


CHAPTER XII 


_ It was the feast of the Saint Mary Mag- 
dalene, July 22nd, that I entered the Mag- 
dalenes’ house, under Mother Precious 
Blood, as a novice. For one week previous 
to this date we entered a spiritual retreat, 
conducted by a Jesuit priest. Those who 
pass a successful probation of one year ex- 

change the white veil for the black. 


We are taught that the more we mortify 
ourselves and try to imitate our Lord in 
His sufferings, the more do we glorify Him 
in this life, and the greater spiritual merit 
do we gain for ourselves when in purga- 
tory. 


It is usual for the Magdalene Sister to 
make what is termed their private manifes- 
tation of conscience to the mistress, Mother 
Precious Blood, once each week. By ‘‘man- 
ifestation of conscience,” I mean that we en- 
ter the private room of the Sister  separ- 
ately, and first kissing the floor. She then 
gives us her blessing, accompanying the 
words with the sign of the cross, which 
she makes on our forehead. After this 


ed 


86 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


she proceeds to question us as to our daily 
- life and, using great subtility, she draws 
from us all our likes and dislikes. 

Have we a preference for any particular 
kind of work? If so, then two or three 
days afterwards, should we be engaged in 
that particular work, we will find ourselves 
deprived of it and put to something we dis- 
like. This is done in order to test us. I 
remember on one occasion, while kneeling 
before Mother Precious Blood, she accused 
me of a fault against “holy poverty.” It 
was after the silence bell had rung. She 
said: “I notice, Magdaiene, that you waste 
your crumbs.” I kissed the floor. 

Then, continuing, she said: “Six months 
before you came to this house one of the 
Sisters died. During her life time she had 
been wasteful. Shortly after her death 
Sister Mary Corneal had a vision and in it 
she saw the holy soul of the Sister, who 
appeared to her and told her that for every 
crumb she had wasted in life she had to — 
suffer one extra hour’s punishment in pur- 
gatory.” When Mother told me this, my 
superstition was fully aroused. I deter- 
mined to be more careful in the future. _ 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 87 


I had been in the Magdalene house now 
two years and three months. I had taken 
my final vows and received the black veil; 
my number was 27. One day I was taken 
into the priest suite. This part of the con- 
vent was new to me; the beauty and lux- 
ury of the rooms dazed me. And there, 
amid all, stood my old friend, Father Cor- 
bet. That I was pleased I will admit. My 
first thought was a message from home. 
He spoke a few friendly words with Mother 
Precious Blood. Then she closed the 
door, leaving us alone. Taking my hand, 
he stood looking down at me. 

Years had dealt kindly with this man. 
How handsome he was. 

For some moments not a word was spok- 
en. Then Father bade me sit down. He 
wished to speak with me. He placed his 
arm around my waist and kissed me. 

Oh, God! Great God! When I think of 
this system I cannot remain quiet. But, 
closing my eyes and ears to everything, I 
must stand up and warn the people of this 
and other lands of the danger threatening 
us. Convent life is a hell upon earth—a 
blot on any land. I was blind with anger. | 


88 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


What terrible fate was it that left me un- 
conscious in the hands of this unprincipled 
beast? Darkness had fallen when I next 
opened my eyes; there was a strange pain 
in my head and for a few moments I could 
not think. 

Dear friends, believe in momentary in- 
sanity, for I have experienced it. My mind 
was blank up to the time Mother Precious 
Blood opened to my cries. I bent my weary 
steps toward my own lonely cell. 

That night I broke my vows, for I did 
not say my “office.” Not until then had I 
fully realized that eighteen long years had 
passed and I was now a woman; and now 
the secrets of the black veil were brought to 
light. | 

Why isn’t the public inspection insisted 
upon? Is it possible that the people do 
not know that the House of the Good Shep- 
herd is the only institution in the United 
states not subject to public inspection? It 
is my one desire to show to the world cer- 
tain places in the Magdalene house, such 
as graves, sewers, lime pits and the chart. 
These are the things hidden behind some 
convent walls. ; 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 89 


CHAPTER XIII 


I will repeat, word for word, what some 
Catholic official will declare against me for 
the lectures I am giving and the writing of 
this book. The curse of excommunication 
is as follows: 


“By the authority of God Almighty, the 
Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and the un- 
defiled Virgin Mary, mother and patroness 
of our Savior, and all of the celestial vir- 
tues, angels, archangels, thrones, demin- 
ions, powers, cherubim and seraphim, and 
of all the holy patriarchs, prophets, and 
of all the apostles and evangelists, of the 
holy innocents who in the sight of the 
Holy Lamb are found worthy to sing the 
new songs of the holy martyrs and holy 
confessors, and of all the holy virgins, and 
of all saints, together with the holy elect 
of God, may she Neva Miller, be damned. 
We excommunicate and anathematize her 
from the threshold of the holy church of 
God Almighty. We _ sequester her, that 
she may be tormented, disposed and be de- 
livered over with Dathan and Abiram, and 
with those say unto the Lord, ‘Depart from 


90 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


us; we desire none of thy ways.” As a 
fire is quenched with water, so let the light 
of her be put out for ever more; unless she 
shall repent and make satisfaction. 


“May the Father, who creates man, curse 
her! 


“May the Son, who suffered for us, curse 
her! 


“May the Holy Ghost, who is poured out 
in baptism, curse her! 

“May the holy cross, which Christ for 
our salvation, triumphing over his enemies, 
ascended, curse her! 

“May the holy Mary, ever virgin, and the 
mother of God, curse her! 

“May the Saint Michael, the advocate of 
the holy souls, curse her! 

“May all the angels, principalities and 
powers and all heavely armies, curse her. 

“May the glorious band of the patriarchs 
and prophets curse her. 

“May Saint John the Precursor and Saint: 
John the Baptist, and Saint Peter and Saint 
Paul and Saint Andrew and all other of 
Christ’s apostles together curse her. 

“And may the rest of the disciples and 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 91 


evangelists, who by their preaching  con- 
verted the universe, pleasing to God _ AI- 
mighty ; may the holy choir of the holy vir- 
gins, who for the honor of Christ have de- 
spised the things of the world, damn her. 


“May all the saints from the beginning of 
the world to everlasting ages who are 
found to be beloved of God damn her. 

“May she be damned wherever she may 
be, whether in the house or in the alley, 
in the woods or in the water, or in the 
church! 

“May she be cursed in living and dying! 

“May she be cursed in eating and drink- 
ing, in being hungry, in being thirsty, in 
fasting and sleeping, in slumbering, and in 
sitting, in living, in working, in resting, and 
—and in blood-letting! 

“May she be cursed in all the faculties of 
her body. : 

“May she be cursed in her hair! 

“Cursed in brains, and her vertex, in her 
temples, in her jaw bones, in her nostrils, 
- in her teeth and grinders, in her lips, in her 
shoulders, in her arms, in her fingers. 

“May she be damned in her mouth, in 


92 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


her breast, in her heart, and appurtenances, ~ | 
down to the very stomach! 

“May she be cursed in her * * * and her 
Pew ner! thighs, in’ her..*) 7 fang 
her * * * . And in her knees, and her 
legs, and her feet, and toe nails. 

“May she be cursed in all her joints and 
articulations of the members, from - the 
crown of her head to the soles of her feet 
may there be no soundness! 

“May the Son of the living God, with all 
the glory of His Majesty, curse her. 

‘And may heaven, with all the powers 
that move therein, rise up against her and 
curse and damn her, unless she repent and 
‘make satisfaction. 


“Amen. So be it! Beit so! Amen! 
Amen! Amen! 


I have given you the diabolical “curse’’ 
of ex-communication, word for word; thus 
you can see how un-Christian the Roman 
Catholic church is. 

While working in Williamsport, Penna.,’ 
1926, we met the nephew of the man in 
charge of the Congressional Records, and 
from this gentleman we were enabled to get 
first-hand information in regard to the 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 93 


Treasonable Fourth Degree Oath of the 
Knights of Columbus. 

We will call our reader’s attention to 
the fact that the “Month’s Mind” of the 
Roman Catholic Church for October, 1913, 
was for the “Battle against Free Masonry 
in the United States,” that is, every Catho- 
lic was to join the prayer for the intention 
cf the “Holy Father’ which was the de- 
struction of Free Masonry, and if you will 
note the pernicious “activity” of the 
Knights of Columbus among members of 
the Craft dated from that time. Much 
went on under guise of friendship. Prom- 
-inent Protestant ministers were approached 
by their K. of C. friends and soon followed 
an address by such a minister in which he 
attempted to whitewash the oath. In every 
case investigated, the minister was found a 
MASON. 

On the other hand, many of our pa- 
triotic speakers were mobbed and most in- 
variably they were members of the Mason- 

ic Fraternity. 
A In 1923, the members of the Shrine in 
Southern California made a trip to Wash- 
ington in which they planned to meet Pres- 


94 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


ident Wilson after his inauguration. Many 
of them had worked and voted for his elec- 
tion. They were met by J. Pat Tumulty, 
his Jesuit Secretary, and were refused ad- 
mittance by that gentleman, and according 
to the press reports at the time, had to re-— 
turn to California without having seen the 
President. 

In the ‘“‘endorsement” printed from the 
Masonic Bulletin in Los Angeles, which 
was written, another Mason of high degree 
was used by the Knights of Columbus to 
read said endorsement into the Congres- 
sional Records, ve. Congressman William 
Kettner of San Diego, California, and then — 
Mr. Kettner used his Government franking 
vYrivilege to send hundreds of thousands 
of this record to the Roman Catholics 
throughout the United States, in which 
quite a sum of Uncle Sam’s perfectly good 
dollars were used to accomplish this feat. 
For a period of over two years this white- 
wash of the “Alleged” oath of the K. of 
C.’s was carried on by members of the 
shrine. This in turn, aroused and justly, 
the true members of the Craft and made 
a rift in Free Masonry never before equal- 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 95 


ed. We ask our friends in that order if 
they cannot read between the lines in these 
disclosures and suggest that they had bet- 
ter begin to rebuild their fences. Once 
and for all, remember that no loyal K. of C. 
can ever be a true friend of any loyal 
Mason: 


* 96 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


CHAPTER XIV 


How true the old motto, “Where there’s a 
will, there’s a way.” Or there may be 
something in lucky days. 

It had become second nature for me _ to 
try the outer door when no one was look- 
ing. 

On this day I was left alone in the work 
room. The other Magdalenes had all gone 
to the chapel. I had been told to put the 
class room in order. On the key ring for 
our press room [ noticed a common door 
key. I inserted this key in the lock of the 
outer door and it turned. On the 19th 
street side of the convent you will find a 
door in the brick wall; this door is oppo- 
site the one I had just opened. At last my 
waiting and watching was rewarded. Af- 
ter noiselessly closing the hall door it was 
no trouble to turn the spring latch in the 
outer door and I was soon on the street. I 
knew I would not be missed until after ves- 
pers, which lasted about one hour and a 
half. 

My intentions were to walk in the direc- 
' tion of the country, so I hurried along, out- 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 97 


wardly calm, while a great tumult of ex- 
citement raged within me. 


It was around 4:30 p. m. when I left the 
convent. As night shadows fell, the house 
of the Good Shepherd was far in the dis- 
tance. The police would be notified in the 
city I knew; regarding the surrounding 
towns, I was not sure. 


On I walked; lights were beginning to 
appear. I could see through the windows 
as I passed the many homes; and Father 
Andrews and his warning came before me. 


On I walked; the present was what 
counted just now, but what would tomor- 
row bring? 


Nuns are never allowed to travel alone, 
and I was penniless. Finally I resolved to 
ask for a drink. That I must be careful 
regarding who I approached I was sure. A 
Catholic would report me to the nearest 
priest, I knew. 


At last I came to what I supposed was a 
little white school house, but which proved 
to be the Methodist church, whose pastor 
was Rev. W. Ryan, who lived just across 


98 « BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


the road. I did not know this until I had 
entered the house. A little woman about 
my own age, with a baby in her arms, open- 
ed the door. 

She eyed me curiously and inquired if I 
were alone. And somehow, her’ smile 
chased away all doubt and I answered yes. 


Then I accepted her invitation to enter. 
Her husband and brother were present. 
There on a small stand lay some literature 
and Sunday School papers. Thank God, 
I was safe. ! 


Again that invisible something had guid- 
ed me aright. 


A week later I stood in the employment 
office of the Y. W. C. A. at Chicago, Ill. The 
young lady directed me to Fred Harvey’s 
main office on 18th street. 


That same evening, with transportation 
and the eating pass which is furnished ll 
help to their destination, I boarded the 
train for Dodge City, Kansas. The trip 
was a pleasant one and I was able to go 
over the past uninterrupted. I resolved 
that a still mouth made a wise head, so I re- 
solved to practice this. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 99 


After the second day’s journey I arrived. 
Girls from all over the United States were 
working here. My choice was an Edna 
Danalson of Chicago, Il. 

At the close of the week I had learned 
my work, which was waiting on train table. 
- I received many tips; my wages were close 
to $25.00 weekly, room and board furnish- 
ed. 

I had written everyone I could remem- 
ber, and at the close of one month my par- 
ents were located. My aunt, Mrs. Stev- 
ens, was dead. 

Since I have been lecturing, the last four 
years, The Catholic Sunday Visitor, a_ pa- 
per whose pages are putrid with slanderous 
lies about every man or woman who tries 
to inform the public of the true conditions 
regarding the Roman system carried on in 
certain convents, has composed a Court 
Record, saying that my name was Van In- 
Wegen before my marriage, and that my 
mother’s name was Mary. This) since 
downright falsehood, as my mother, fath- 
er, grandmother, and sister are all living, 
and neither my mother’s, nor my aunt’s 
name is not, and never was, Mary. 


100 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


The name, Euluia, given me in the con- 
vent by the Sisters, help to blind the lay- 
men of the world. They do not under- 
stand that there may have been hundreds | 
of girls who carried that name, or any oth- 
er class name they are called. If a girl 
leaves who carries the name of Beatrice, 
the next girl who comes in will be given 
that name, and as the name given me, Eu- 
luia, after I left, the next girl coming in 
from the world would receive this name, as 
there was a vacancy. How deceitful, and 
tricky, are these would be religious. 


I took a trip home. Oh, long, wasted 
years! The same dear home I had left 
as a little girl I visited now, a woman. 
How many others are there in the prison 
house of Rome waiting for that same op- 

portunity ! | 
In the latter part of the year 1920 I trav- 
- eled south and west. My lungs are af- 
fected, in fact, my health is ruined. My 
weight was 85 pounds on _ leaving the 


- cloister. 


One day I bought a ticket for Tulsa, 
Okla. Why, I. do not know. I had not 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 101 | 


contemplated the trip. Perhaps my trials 
were not yet to end, for it was here I met 
my husband, Mr. James Miller. We were 
married, but only too soon was I to regret 
the step I had taken. My work I loved, 
while he had no respect for God or man, 
and after one year and eight months, Bible 
grounds for a divorce were presented, and 
I claimed my freedom. Not long after, 
news came that Mr. Miller had been killed 
in,Canada. 


Time went on. Over the Great U.S. A. 
of ours the Petitions I am presenting to the 
public found their way. These Petitions 
are to be presented to the President of our 
United States, for a public inspection of all 
Good Shepherd Convents.'. As yet I have 
not enough signers—but thanks to the 


Protestant Public the names are accumu- 


lating fast. 


The State Welfare Department of each 
state claim that the House of the Good 
Shepherd is subject to inspection. 


I also claim that they cannot compel a 
Protestant girl to enter their Catholic in- 


i stitutions. 


te 


102 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


I say from my own experience that re- 
gardless if they are subject or not, the 
proper inspection positively does not take 
place. 


I am hated by the Catholics. But this 
does not worry me, even in their efforts to 
take my life, I have no fear. 


I am the only girl on the lecture platform 
who has taken the vows of a Roman Cath- 
olic Sister Magdalene, and unless a girl has 
taken the vows of Poverty, Chasstity and 
Obedience, she has no right to call herself 
a Nun. 


While at Butler, Penn., where I spoke a_ 
week and four days, my life was threaten- 
ed. The state constabulary had to be call- 
ed on after they had shot at me from a tree 
through the church window. And again 
at Franklin, Penn., I was given rat poison 
in my food. Here my life was saved, as 
an overdose was given. 

In Vineland, N. J., mustard bombs were 
used, but again their efforts failed. My - 
automobiles have been wrecked, and still 
from state to state we travel, and many 
are leaving the Church of Rome in answer 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 103 


to the lessons they are learning from my 
experience. 


In May, 1925, the 6th day, found me be- 
fore the Baptist Minister of Bridgeton, N. 
J.. John S. Moss, Jr., and I were married. 
An old friend and faithful husband he has 
proved to be. He, too, loves this great 
work we have to do, and I am at last happy 
and content with one of the finest, most 
devoted, companions God has to offer. 


I have suffered much bitter persecution 
which has caused me to suffer nervous pros- 
tration, but I am free, and hope my word 
of warning from the platform will be heed- . 
ed. 


Beware of training schools for girls, as 
the Good Shepherd Convents, as a result of 
these lectures, are using other means to de- 
ceive. Names such as St. Alfonsos Train- 
ing School for Girls, and others, take the 
place of House of the Good Shepherd. Re- 
member, the changing of names does not 
alter the conditions existing in these ter- 
rible Roman Slave houses. 

And so I say farewell to all, and as the 
hour of death approaches and my _ soul 


104 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


stands on the borders of eternity, the last 
prayer from my lips will be, “God Bless 
You, my friends.” ; 


N. B. I have not revealed everything 
of the past, as some information would help 
my enemies, but we hope that in the near 
future this book may be presented to the 
World, nothing omitted, affidavits and pic- 
tures accompanying. 


NEVA MILLER MOSS. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 105 


LETTER OF THE COMMITTEE 


During the latter part of April, 1927, 
Neva Miller Moss addressed the Public: in 
a series of lectures at Sayre, Pa., Athens, 
Pa., and Owego, N. Y., and Waverly, N. Y. 

That said Neva Miller Moss offered 
telegrams and other authentic information 
to prove her claims that she had been con- 
fined in the House of the Good Shepard, 
Detroit, Mich. 

P. J. Durkin of St. Joseph’s Rectory, 
Athens, Pa., submitted statements to dis- 
credit such claims and published them in 
the local newspapers. 

A committee of men called on Rev. 
Durkin and he showed them letters that he 
had received and was_ ordered to publish 
against Neva Miller Moss but kindly con- 
sented, and did write a letter of introduction 
for a certain committee of men for the pur- 
pose of inspecting any House of Good 
Shepard. 

On April 30th, 1927, this committee of 
men applied to the Sister Mary Superior at 
Mount St. Mary’s House of Good Shepard 
at Scranton, Pa., for this purpose. of inter-— 


2 

aa 
cat 

‘ 

on 


106 BEHIND CONVENT’ WALLS 


viewing the inmates. We were permitted 
no farther than the Reception Room. The 
Sister in charge said the Mother Superior 
was absent and we could go no farther al- 
though she read the letter written by Fath- 
er Durkin. We proceeded to leave in a 
peaceable manner and was followed into the 
street by a man passing as Officer Earl 
Smith of Dunmore Boro, (who had been 
working about the grounds’ dressed in 
overalls) ; he advised us that we were to be 
placed under arrest and taken to the ee 
Hall. 

No resistance was offered, but a pre- 
late passing as Father McClue_ interceded 
and told the Police that Father Durkin’s 
seal was on the communication shown so 
we were released and Father McClue curs- 
-ed Father Durkin for writing such a letter. 
We were allowed to go. 

We believe the Arkansas inspection law 
should be passed and applied to Convents, 
Houses of Good Shepard, etc., in Perey 
vania and other states. . 

GRANT SIMONDS, 
EARL KIPP, 
FLOYD SHOCH. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 107 


Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 
Ss 
County of Bradford, 


Personally appeared before me a Jus- 
tice of the Peace in and for the County of 
Bradford aforesaid; Grant Simonds, Floyd 
Shoch, Earl Kipp, who, after being duly 
sworn according to law deposed and said 
that the foregoing is a true and correct 
statement. 

Sworn and subscribed to before 
me this 27th day of August, 1927. 


O. J. Van Winkle, 
Justice of the Peace. 
Ulster, Pa. 


My commission expires the 
first Monday in January, 1928. 


(SEAL) 


108 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


4. LETTER RECEIVED FROM THE AUTHORITY 
AT TRAVERSE CITY, IN ANSWER TO 
MY INQUIRY OF MISS IMUS: 


TRAVERSE CITY STATE HOSPITAL 
Traverse City, Mich. 
Feb. 10, 1927 


Mrs. John S. Moss, JYr., 
Hotel Haines, Rm. 401, 
York, Penna. 


Dear Madam: 


Your letter of the 6th has been handed 
to me. I may say that we never had any 
cne in the institution by the name of Nor- 
berta Imiz but we had an Alberta J. Imus 
and I presume this is the person to whom 
you refer, as she was at one time at the 
Good Sheppards. She was admitted here in 
1907 and was discharged July 23, 1908. She 
was said to have been taken away by her 
mother, who evidently lived at Pentwater. 
1 am 

Very truly yours, 
G. F. Inch, 
Med. Supt. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS - 109 


A LETTER RECEIVED, DURING THE YORK 
TROUBLE, WHICH MAY BE OF IN- 
TEREST TO THE READERS: 


Harrisburg, Jan. 21, 1927. 
Mrs. Neva P. Miller Moss: 
Dear Madam: 

With deep interest did I read about the lecture 
you were going to deliver in York about the House 
of Good Shepherd and how that (rotten, perjury, 
dis-) Honorable Mayor tried to frustrate it. 

I also read about the rosy 1% column Ad. in the 
Dispatch about the House of Good Shepherd, cred- 
ited to the Detroit Community Fund Bulletin (non- 
denominational) about the House of Good Shep- 
herd of Detroit, Michigan. 

I have been born a Catholic; married a Cath- 
clic; been maligned by a Catholic wife and through 
perjury been committed to the State Insane Hos- 
pital, one of said witnesses who was against me 
was said Hugen-Juggler who never knew me. 1 
was acolyte when a boy for a priest who was the 
cause of three girls to become mothers, and who 
had the audacity to stand up in the pulpit and 
pronounce damnation upon any person who accused 
him of fornication and bastardy. He paid a young 
man $700 to marry one girl who was second maid 
for Father Eagle of St. Patrick’s, York. While 
Eagle was on his death bed and during his visit 
this occurred. Father Hamm was his name. The 
boy of the girl died (?) soon after birth. One 
boy, now about 535, lives in Dallastown, York Coun- 


110 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


ty, and goes by he name of Knadig, and it is a mys- 
tery to strangers who was his sire, but murder 
will out. é 
The Catholic church denounces divorces and 
claims to be the true protector of the marriage bond. 
My wife repudiated her vow; refused to live with 
me after I signed my property over, and is the 
cause of me being in a lunatic asylum, with the as- 
sistance of my daughter, who both perjured them- 
selves, and as reprisal for the injury and humilia- 
tion they cause me I asked the Bishop to suspend 
them as Catholics if they remain obdurate and 
refuse to live up to the tenets of the church, but 
all my appeals to him were treated with contempt. 
If it is within your power to assist me to obtain 
my discharge from the hospital through a habeas 
corpus proceeding, it would afford me a wealth 
of satisfaction to accompany you and turn on 
the search light of the sham that is practiced by 
those who are wearing God’s livery to serve the 
devil. 
Hoping and praying you will honor me with a 
reply at your earliest convenience. 
Respectfully, 
John P. Kunkel, Printer, 
Pouch A. Harrisburg, Pa. 


P. S. Just got Dispatch of Saturday, the 15th, 
and read article, “Mayor is upheld by the Court in 
Case of Ex-nun,” and see the Judge is in liege with 
Hugenjuggler. Criminals of a feather stick to- 
gether. Stand your ground and fight corruption 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 111 


to the bitter end and should I be able to obtain 
my liberty I will stand by you until death. Ven- 
geance is mind, sayeth the Lord. Also see your 
photos in said issue which I will preserve as a me- 
mento of your fearlessness. 


THE “ALLEGED” OATH 


Excerpts from the “Contested-Election 
Case of Eugene C. Bonniwell against 
Thomas S. Butler,” as appears in the Con- 
gressional Record-House, February 15, 
19138, at pages 3215, etc., and ordered print- 
ed therein “by unanimous consent.” At- 
tached thereto and printed (on page 3216) 
as a part of said report is the following: 


FOURTH DEGREE OATH OF THE 
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 
As Entered in Congressional Record 


“T, ———_—— —————_,, now in the presence of 
Almighty God, the blessed Virgin Mary, the blessed 
St. John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles, St. Peter 
and St. Paul, and all the saints, sacred host of 
Heaven, and to you, my Ghostly Father, the super- 
ior general of the Society of Jesus, founded by St. 
Ignatius, Loyola, in the pontification of Paul the 


112 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


III, and continued to the present, do by the womb 
of the Virgin, the matrix of God, and the rod of 
Jesus Christ, declare and swear that His Holiness, 
the Pope, is Christ’s vice-regent and is the true and 
only head of the Catholic or Universal Church 
throughout the earth, and that by virtue of the 
keys of binding and loosing given his holiness by 
my Savior, Jesus Christ, he hath power to depose 
heretical kings, princes, States, Commonwealths and 
Governments, and they may be. safely destroyed. 
Therefore to the utmost of my power, I will defend 
this doctrine and His Holiness’s right and custom 
against all usurpers of the heretical or Protestant 
authority whatever, especially the Lutheran Church 
of Germany, Holland, Denmark, Sweden and Nor- 
way, and the now pretended authority and Churches 
of England and Scotland, and the branches of same 
now established in Ireland and on the Continent of 
America and elsewhere, and all adherents in regard 
that they may be usurped and_ heretical opposing 
the sacred Mother Church of Rome. 


“I. do now denounce and disown any allegiance 
as due to any heretical king, prince, or State, named 
‘Protestant or Liberals, or obedience to any of their 
laws, magistrates, or officers. 

“I do further declare that the doctrine of the 
Churches of England and Scotland, of the Calvin- 
ists, Huguenots, and others of the name of Protes- 
tants or Masons to be damnable, and they them- 
selves to be damned who will not forsake the same. 

“I do further declare that I will help, assist 
and advise all or any of His Holiness’s agents, in 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 113 


any place, where I should be, in Switzerland, Ger- 
many, Holland, Ireland, or America, or in any other 
kingdom or territory I shall come to, and do my 
utmost to extirpate the heretical Protestant or Ma- 
sonie doctrines and to destroy all their pretended 
powers, legal or otherwise. 


“I do further promise and declare that, not- 
withstanding that I am dispensed with to assume 
any religion heretical for the propagation of the 
Mother’s Church’s interest to keep secret and pri- 
vate all her agents’ counsels from time to time, as 
they instruct me, and not divulge, directly or  in- 
directly, by word, writing, or circumstances, what- 
ever, but to execute all that should be proposed, given 
in charge, or discovered unto me by you, my Ghostly 
Father, or any of this sacred order. 

“I do further promise and declare that I will 
have no opinion or will of my own or any mental 
reservation whatsoever, even as a corpse or cadaver 
(perinde ac cadaver), but will unhesitatingly obey 
each and every command that I may receive from 
my superiors in the militia of the Pope and of Jesus 
Christ. 

“That I will go to any part of the world whith- 
ersoever I may be sent, to the frozen regions North, 
jungles of India, to the centers of civilization of 
BHurope, or to the wild haunts of the barbarous sav- 
ages of America without murmuring or _ repining, 
and will be submissive in all vite! whatsoever is 
communicated to me. 

“J do further promise and declare that I will, 
when opportunity presents, make and wage relent- 





114 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


less war, secretly and openly, against all heretics, 
Protestants and Masns, as I am directed to do, to 
extirpate them from the face of the whole earth; 
and that I will spare neither age, sex, or condition, 
and that I will hang, burn, waste, boil, flay, stran- 
gle, and bury alive these infamous heretics; rip up 
the stomachs and wombs of their women, and crush 
their infants’ heads against the walls in order to 
annihilate their execrable race. That when the 
same can not be done openly, I will secretly use the 
poisonous cup, the strangulation cord, the steel of 
the poniard, or the leaden bullet, regardless of the 
honor, rank, dignity, or authority of the persons, 
either public or private, as I at any time may be di- 
rected so to do by any agents of the Pope or super- 
ior of the Brotherhood of the Holy Father of the So- 
ciety of Jesus. 


“In confirmation of which I hereby dedicate my 
life, soul, and all corporal powers, and with the dag- 
ger which I now receive I will subscribe my name 
written in my blood in testimony thereof; ana 
should I prove false or weaken in my determination. 
may my brethren and fellow soldiers of the militia 
of the Pope cut off my hands and feet and my throat 
from ear to ear, my belly opened and sulphur burned 
therein with all the punishment that can be inflicted 
upon me on earth and my soul shall be tortured 
by demons in eternal hell forever. 


“That I will in voting always vote for a K. of 
C. in preference to a Protestant, especially a Mason, 
and that I will leave my party so to do; that if two 
Catholics are on the ticket I will satisfy myself 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 115 


which is the better supported of Mother Church and 
vote accordingly. 

“That I will not deal with or employ a Protes. 
tant if in my power to deal with or employ a Cath- 
olic. That I will place Catholic girls in Protestant 
families that a weekly report may be made of the 
inner movements of the heretics. 

“That I will provide myself with arms and am- 
munition that I may be in readiness when the 
word is passed, or I am commanded to defend the 
chureh either as:an individual or with the militia 
ot the Pope. 

All of which I, ————— -—————.,, do swear by 
the blessed Trinity and blessed sacrament which I 
am now to receive to perform and on part to keep 
this, my oath. 

“In testimony hereof, take this most holy and 
blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist and witness the 
same further with my name written with the point 
of this dagger dipped in my own blood and seal in 
the face of this holy sacrament.”—(Excerpts from 
“Contested election case of Eugene C. Bonniwell 
against Thos. S. Bulter,” as appears in the Con- 
gressional Record House, Feb. 15, 1918, at 
pages 8215, ete., and ordered printed therein “by 
unanimous consent.” Attached thereto and printed 
(on page 3216) as a part of said report as above.) 

(For further information relative to the pro 
ceedings referred to, and the exhibits and documents 
accompanying the same, reference is made to the 
Congressional Record from which: the foregoing 
portion is copied verbatim from “House Bill 1523.’) 





4G BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


ANOTHER LETTER RECEIVED FROM 
ANOTHER VICTIM: 


Clinton, Iowa, 
August 14, 1926. 
Dear Miss Miller: . 


I am writing you these few lines to let you 
~ know that you have at least one sincere friend in 
the City of Clinton. I heard you speak your first 
evening in Clinton this P. M. and it was all 1} 
could do to Keep silent. I wanted to ask those peo- 
ple to believe every word you told them because I 
certainly do. f 

Because I know it was only the kind Father 
above and a faithful Mother that jerked me out 
of the clutches of those black robed mothers at the 
Home of the Good Shephard at Peoria, Il. 

Dear Miss Miller, do you think a good shep- 
hard has anything to do with those homes? 

I have one of your books and I am passing it 
on. I have one of your petitions and it’s going to 
be full and running over when I send _ it back to 
you and if your dream ever comes true I want to — 
be one of those white robed figures that shows the 
Daigo Pope he has no place to land in our dear 
Olde Sak: 

One night while in the Home of the Good Sher-- 
hard I had a pain in my side; when I sat up it 
didn’t hurt so bad so after Mother sprinkled her 
holy water over my bed I sat up and the girl thar 
watched our ward, or whatever it was, came over 
and asked me what I was sitting up for; I told her 
and she took me by the shoulders, slammed me 


‘ 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 117 


down in bed and told me to stay there and never 
mind my side. 


When I entered the Home I had one of our 
Holy Bibles, but I never saw it after Mother took 
it. 

T’ll close and hope to see you again. 

Your Friend, 
United we stand, divided we fall. 


118 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


-A GIRL FROM THE CLEVELAND, OHIO, HOUSE 
OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD, SPEAKS: 


STATE OF OHIO, ) | 
SUMMIT couNTYy,( * 


Mrs. E. W. Swagler, being first duly sworn, on 


oath deposes and says: 

That she is a former inmate of the Convent of 
the Good Shepherd at Cleveland, and is familiar 
with the conditions existing there; that when a girl 
enters this Convent her name is changed, so that 
her worldly name is not known, and in this way of 
one girl leaves the Convent she cannot help any of 
the others to get out; deponent says that her maid- 
en name was Bertha Stonebrook and she was known 
in the Convent as Ucebia. 

Deponent further says that no looking glasses 
are ever seen in this place, and one never sees ont- 
side the place from the time she enters until she 
leaves, if she ever does leave. Some girls have been 
there from childhood and many for at least twenty 
years. 


Deponent further says that the girls in this 


place have to live on dry mouldy bread, with only a 
little syrup; the bread is cut two inches thick; tea 
and coffee are always doped and never tasted right; 
and that dope has caused many a girl to die of 
consumption; deponent says that nine girls died 
from this cause during the year she was there, and 
deponent says that she herself nearly had con- 
sumption, and her doctor bill amounted te over 
one hundred dollars after she got home, the doctor 


Te 
a 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 119 


telling her that her condition was such that it 
would take years for her to regain the good wor 
that she had at seventeen. 

Deponent further says that all she ever had 
for breakfast while there was dry bread, oatmeal 
without any salt or butter or milk, and doped cof- 
fee. Dinner was sour cabbage, beet tops, bread 
and tea. Supper consisted of tea and bits. of 
crackers. If the girls did not want to eat what 
was given them, they had to eat off the floor and 
were treated like dogs. 

Deponent further says that if one girl speaks 
to another Mother St. Michael sends her in pen 
ance for from one to three days, without a bite to 
eat. Deponent says that she was in penance for 


. three days with nothing to eat until she asked the 


Mother’s pardon and kissed the floor—that she 
had to kiss the floor so much that her lips were 
crusty with dust from the floor. 

Deponent says that if a girl refused to work 
she was given the cold water bath, which consist- 


ed of a bath tub filled full of cold water, the girl’s 


hands are tied behind her, her feet also tied, and 


then ‘four girls are compelled to duck her under the 


water and hold her there until she nearly strangles; 
then if they do not ask pardon they are ducked 
three more times and until they do ask pardon. If 
they have done anything desperate, such as trying 
te escape, their wet clothes are left on them to 
dry. Every night the girls have to take a cold 


’ water bath from a basin at the bedside—a warm 
water bath only once a week, and then the water 


; 
=, “y 
eG i a 


120 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


is just barely warm. ‘They are given clean under- 
clothing only once in every three or four weeks, 
and ragged ones at that. 

Deponent further says that no medical treat- — 
ment is ever given to the girls; that she at one 
time told her father that she needed some medicine, 
and that the Mother stood by and said that she 
had all the medicine she needed, and deponent had 
to keep still or take the cold bath when she got 

back. 
Deponent says that all of these things are true 
and she has seen them with her own eyes and 
knows that this place is not a fit place for a dog, 
much less a girl, and there are many other things 
besides which cannot be told here, but deponent 
will be glad to tell them to anyone who asks. 

And further deponent sayeth not. 

Mrs. EK. W. Swagler. 

Subscribed and sworn to before me this Ist day 
of November, 1924. 

Robert Tipton, 
Notary Public, 
Summit County, Ohio. 
. (SEAL) 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 121 


For those who have not read the Con- 
stitution, or perhaps have never cared 
what the Amendments were, I have them 
copied below: 





AMENDMENTS 
to the Constitution of the 
United States of America 





Amendment 1 
Congress shall make no law respecting an estab- 
lishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise 
thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of 
the press; or the right of the people peaceably to as- 
semble, and to petition the Government for a re 
dress of grievances. 


Amendment 2. 
_ A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the 
security of a free State, the right of the people to 
keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. 


Amendment 3. 

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered 
in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor 
in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by 
law. 


122 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


Amendment 4. 

The right of the people to be secure in their 
persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreas- 
cnable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, 
and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable 
cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and par- 
ticularly describing the place to be searched, and 
the persons or things to be seized. 


Amendment 5. 

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, 
cr otherwise infamous crime, unless on a present 
ment, or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in 
cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the 
Militia, when in actual service in time of War or 
public danger; nor shall any person be subject for 
the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life 
or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case 
to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of — 
life, liberty, or property, without due process of 
law; nor shall private property be taken for public 
use, without just compensation. 


Amendment 6. _ 


In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall 
enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an 
impartial jury of the State and district wherein the 
crime shall have been committed, which district 
shall have been previously ascertained by law, and 
to be informed of the nature and cause of the ac- 
cusation; to be confronted with the witnesses 
against him; to have compulsory process for ob- 


7 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 123 


taining witnesses in his favor, and to have the As- 
sistance of Counsel for his defence. 


Amendment 7%. 

In Suits at common law, where the value in 
controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right 
of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried 
by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any 
Court of the United States, than according to the 
Trules of the common law. 


Amendment 8. 
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor exces- 
sive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punish- 
ments inflicted. 


Amendment 9. 
The enumeration in the Constitution, of cer- 
tain rights, shall not be construed to deny or dis- 
parage others retained by the people. 


Amendment 10. 

The powers not delegated to the United States 
by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the 
States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to 
the people. 


Amendment 11 
The Judicial Power of the United States shall 
not be construed to extend to any suit in law or 
eauity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the 
United States by Citizens of another State, or by 
Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State. 


t 


124 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


Amendment 12 


The Electors shall meet in their respective states, 
and vote by ballot for President and Vice President, 
one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of 
the same state with themselves; they shall name in 
their ballots the person voted for as President, and 
in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice 
President, and they shall make distinct lists of all 
persons voted for as President, and of all persons 
voted for as Vice President, and of the number of 
votes for each, which lists they shall sign and cer- 
tify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the govern- 
ment of the United States, directed to the President 
of the Senate;—The President of the Senate shat, 
in the presence of the Senate and House of Repre- 
sentatives, open all the certificates and the votes 
shall then be counted;—-The person having the 
greatest number of votes for President, shall be the 
President, if such number be a majority of the 
whole number of Electors appointed; and if no 
person have such majority, then from the persons 
having the highest numbers not exceeding three on 
the list of those voted for as President, the House 
of Representatives shall choose immediately, by 
ballot, the President. But in choosing the Presi- 
dent, the votes shall be taken by states, the rep 
resentation from each state having one vote; a 
quorum: for this purpose shall consist of a member 
or members from two-thirds of the states, and a 
majority of all the states shall be necessary to a 
choice. And if the House of Representatives shall 
not choose a President whenever the right of choice 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 125 


shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of 
March next following, then the Vice President shall 
act as President, as in the case of the death or other 
constitutional disability of the President.—The per- 
son having the greatest number of votes as Vice 
President, shall be the Vice President, if such num- 
ber be a majority of the whole number of Electors 
appointed and if no person have a majority, then 
from the two highest numbers on the list, the Sen- 
ate shall choose the Vice President; a quorum for 
the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the 
whole number of Senators, and a majority of the 
whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But 
no person constitutionally ineligible to the office ot 
President of the United States. 


Amendment 13 

Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary 
servitude, except as a punishment for crime where- 
of the party shall have been duly convicted, shal 
exist within the United States, or any place sub- 
ject to their jurisdiction. Section 2. Congress 
shall have power to enforce this article by appro 
priate legislation. 


Amendment 14 

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in 
the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction 
thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the 
State wherein they reside. No State shall make or 
enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges 
or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor 
shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, 


126 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


or property, without due process of law, nor deny 
to any person within its jurisdiction the mt pro- 
tection of the: laws. 


Section 2. Representatives shall be apportion 
ed among the several States according to their re- 
spective numbers, counting the whole number of 
persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. 
But when the right to vote at any election for the 
choice of electors for President and Vice President 
of the United States, Representatives in Congress, 
the Executive and Judicial officers of-a State, or 
the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to 
any of the male inhabitants of such State, being 
twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United 
States, or in any way abridged, except for partici- 
pation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of rep- 
resentation therein shall be reduced in the propor- 
tion which the number of such male citizens shall 
bear to the whole number of male citizens ees 
one years of age in such State. 


Section 8. No person shall be a Senator or 
Representative in Congress, or elector of President 
and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or mil- 
itary, under the United States, or under any State, 
who, having previously taken an oath, aS a mem- 
ber of Congress, or as an _ officer of the United 
States, or as a member of any State legislature, or 
as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to 
support the Constitution of the United States, shall 
have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against 
the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies 


asa 
——— 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 1 


bo 
~] 


thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two- 
thirds of each House, remove such disability. 

Section 4. The validity of the public debt of 
the United States, authorized by law, including 
debts, incurred for payment of pensions and boun- 
ties for services in suppressing insurrection or re- 
bellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the 
United States nor any State shall assume or pay 
any debt or obligation incurred in aid or insurrec- 
tion or rebellion against the United States, or any 
claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; 
but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be 
held illegal and void. 

Section 5. The Congress shall have power to 
enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of 
this article. 


Amendment 15 


Section 1. The right of citizens of the Unit- 
ed States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by 
the United States or by any State on account of 
race, color, or previous condition of servitude. 

Section 2. The Congress shall have power to 
enforce this article by appropriate legislation. 


Amendment 16 
- The Congress shall have power to lay and col- 
lect taxes on incomes, from whatever source deriv- 
ed, without apportionment among the several 
States, and without regard to any census or enum- 
eration. | 
; Amendment 17 
The Senate of the United States shall be com- 


- 128 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


posed of two Senators from each State, elected by 
the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator 
shall have one vote. The electors in each State- 
shall have the qualifications requisite for electors 
of the most numerous branch of the State legisla- 
tures. 

When vacancies happen in the representation 
of any State in the Senate, the executive authority 
of such State shall issue writs of election to fill 
such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of 
any State may empower the executive’ thereof to 
make temporary appointments until the people fill 
the vacancies by election as the legislature may di- 
rect. 

This amendment shall not be so construed as 
to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen 
before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution. 


Amendment 18 


Section 1. After one year from the ratifica- 
tion of this article the manufacture, sale, or trans. 
portation of intoxicating liquors within, the»impor- 
tation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from 
the United States and all territory subject to the 
jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is here- 
by prohibited. 

Section 2. The Congress and_ the several 
States shall have concurrent power to enforee this 
article by appropriate legislation. 

Section 8. This article shall be inoperative un- 
less it shall have been ratified as an amendment to ~ 
the Constitution by the legislatures of the severa) 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 129 


States, as provided in the Constitution, within 
seven years from the date of the submission hereof 
to the States by the Congress. 


Amendment 19 
The right of citizens of the United States to 
yote shall not be denied or abridged by the United 
States or by any State on account of sex. 
Congress shall have power to enforce this arti- 
cle by appropriate legislation. 


130 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


APPENDIX 


For the benefit of those who have not 
been informed, I am giving a few . state- 


ments taken from the sermons of different — 


Roman Catholic priests and from papers. 
I wish that non-Catholics may better under- 
stand the issues that confront them. 


“Many non-Catholics fear us as a political 
organization and are afraid that the Catho- 
lic church will dominate and rule. We are 
working quietly, seriously, and I may say 


effectively.”—June Number, 1909, of the 


Missionary, page 69. 


“The Roman Catholic citizen of the Unit- 
ed States owes no allegiance to any  prin- 
ciples of government which is condemned 
by the pope.”—The Tablet. 


“T do not consider that we are doing our 


duty as American citizens to ourselves or to 
our children in permitting such a system of 
public schools to exist as we have today.” 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 131 


—Prof. Dunne of the Jesuit College, Wash- 
ington, D. C. 


“The children of the public schools turn 
out to be horse thieves, scholastic counter- 
feiters, and well versed in schemes of devil- 
try. I frankly confess that Catholics stand 
before the country as the enemies of the 
public schools. They are afraid that the 
child that left home in the morning would 
come back with something in his heart as 
black as hell.”—Priest Phelan, St. Louis, 
Oct., 18738. 


““A man condemned by the pope may be 
killed wherever he is found.”’—lLa Croix, 
Vol. 1, Page 294. 


“The will of the pope is the supreme law 
of all lands.’”—Archbishop Ireland, St. 
Paul, Minn. 


“A civil marriage is only licensed cohab- 
itation. There should be no such legal 
abomination, and the church should be su- 
preme judge of the marriage relation.”— 
Western Watchman, March 28, 1912. 


“What right has a Protestant wife to ob- 
ject to her husband’s having a mistress? 


Deel © 


132 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS | 


And what reason has a Protestant husband 
to object to his wife having a lover? There 
is absolutely nothing in Protestant Christ- 
ianity to prevent it. Luther claimed it as 
one of the glorious privileges of the gospel. 
If these people will be monogamic, let them 
join the Catholic church.”--Western Watch- 
man, Nov. 26, 1914. 


“Protestantism, the murderous hag, is 
slowly dying of corruption and cogenital 
rottenness, and she will not much longer 
incumber the earth.”—Western ‘Watchmen, 
AGrie2o, 1914: 


“You Catholics ought to be proud of your 
women, because you are the only people in 
the world that have virtuous women; there 
are no virtuous women in the Protestant 
Churches.”—Father Corbet, Duluth, Minn. 


“If Catholics ever gain sufficient majority 
in this country, religious freedom is at an ~ 
end, so our enemies say; so we believe.” 
The Shepherd of the Valley, St. Louis, Nov. 
23, 1851. 


‘‘A man or woman who has been excom- 
municated by the pope may be killed any- 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 1858 


where.” — Bussanbaum Lacroi, Theologia 
Moralis, 1757. 


“Moral suasion is a deadly policy and all 
that remains is the field and the sword.’— 
John McNamara of Ohio in Irish Catholic 
Convention, Chicago, Sept. 25, 1895. 


“We call on the clergy everywhere to or- 
ganize the laity, male and female, old and 
young, into secret societies, and that the . 
men and boys may have competent instruc- 
tors to give the military training that they 
may be prepared to aid and_ sustain our 
faith in an emergency.”’—Pope Leo XIII. 

“The most despicable thing outside per- 
dition is Protestantism, and to speak of it 
truthfully and properly we should have to 
use up all the superlatives of vituperation.” 
—Western Watchman, Page 10, Dec. 10, 
1914, : 


“We are respectable people; we are intel- 
ligent people; we hold our own anywhere. 
In the pulpit, the world must listen. We 
control the press of the United States.”— 
From Father Phelan’s sermon delivered in 
Mt. Carmel Church, St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 15, 
1914. 


134 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


“The common schools of this country are 
sinks of moral pollution and nurseries of 
hell.”—-The Chicago Tablet. 


‘“‘We can have the United States in ten 
years, and I want to give you three points 
for your consideration—the Indians, the 
Negroes and the common schools.”—Arch- 
bishop Ireland in a speech at Rome, 1892. 


“If your son or daughter is attending a 
state school, you are violating your duty as 


a Catholic parent.”—Western Tablet, Chi- 
cago. 7 


“Outside the Catholic church, when a 
man dies, bury him like you would a dog. 
Don’t talk about the future—life is ended 
—the tomb is all that is left for him.’— 
Priest D. H. Phelan, Western Watchman, 
May 27, 1915, Page 19. 


“Protestantism—we would draw and 
quarter it. We would impale it and hang 
it up for crows to eat; we would tear — it 
with pincers, and fire it with hot irons. 
We would fill it with molten lead and sink 
it in a hundred fathoms of _hell-fire.”— 
Western Watchman. 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 133 


“This country is ceasing to be Yankee and 
Protestant, because the Yankee and Protes- 
tant will be neither virgins nor mothers.’— 
Western Watchman, Jan. 30, 1913. 


“The man who shoots an anarchist on 
sight is a public benefactor. Those ex- 
priests are anarchists of the worst stamp. 
I, for one, say better free bullets than free 
_ speech.’”’—Jesuit Priest Sherman. 


“The church question in America is a 
school question. In other words, its fate 
tomorrow depends upon its state today. 


“If, throughout the states, children of 
Catholic parents were schooled under Cath- 
olic teachers, in another generation Cath- 
olics would be on top. The tide of immi- 
gration is a Catholic one and grants settling 
in the states that teeming generations are 
to come, condemning by their overwhelming 
numbers the sterility of the old American 
settlers.”’—Father Vaughan, quoted by 
Catholic Messenger of Davenport, lowa, 
May 29, 1918. 


“We must take part in the elections, move 
in solid mass in every state against the 


136 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


party pledged to sustain the integrity of 
the public schools.”—Cardinal McClosky. 


“Ere long there will be a state religion 
in the United States, and that state relig- 
ion is to be the Roman _ Catholic.’’—Priest 
Hecker. 


“The pope has given the order to make 
America Catholic. * * * The first step in 
the making will be the election of one of 
the American cardinals to the papacy, the 
removal of St. Peter’s to Washington, Car- 
dinal Gibbons to be president and every 
non-Catholic driven out of the army and 
navy.’’—Catholic Sun. 


“We have Catholic congressmen repre- 
senting many districts of New York City. 
We wonder what they are going to do in 
congress in response to the demand that the 
postal laws be amended in order that the 
anti-Catholic papers be thrown out of. the 
mails.”—The Tablet, Dec. 26, 1914. 


“That Catholic seal is set on this land for- 
ever.”—Judge Dunne, in a paper read at 
the Baltimore Catholic Congress. 


“So great an honor has never been con- 


BEHIND CONVENT BALLS 132 


ferred on the historic pile, the White House, 
as will be conferred when there will be a 
Catholic altar erected, and by the will, con- 
sent and hands of the American people. 
The Catholic church is today the balance 
wheel of the republic, and the day is not 
far distant when she will become the entire 
machinery of this government and perpet- 
uate it.”—Catholic News. 


“The church never can come into its own 
until there are more Catholics in congress. 
The church never will wield the influence of 
good which it should possess until this 
comes to pass. Do not fear that there is 
any prejudice against Catholics in high 
places. There is none. You are not kept 
back; you are keeping yourselves back.’— 
Archbishop Ireland, in a speech at Detroit, 
reported in New York Tribune, Jan. 28, 
1911. 


“Roman Catholics must obey their bish- 
ops, whether right or wrong.”—Vicar Gen- 
eral Preston on the witness stand in New 
York City. 


Catholicity is the strongest political 


138 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


force in the country.”—The Church Pro- 
gress” of St. Louis, Jan. 4, 1912. 


“The public man who antagonizes the 
Catholic church in these days is a political 
suicide.’—Western Watchman, St. Louis. 


“I will expect you to be ready. Iam 
your leader, your thinker and your director. 
I will tell you what to do and will expect 
you to doit. Ineed youmen. Never dif- 
fer with your bishop. He thinks for you.” 
—Archbishop Mundelein’s address’. to 
Knights of Columbus, reported in Chicago 
Evening American, March 19, 1916. 


“The Catholic church is the only true 
guide in religion and _ politics.”—Priest 
Phelan in the Western Watchman, Nov. 16, 
1911. 


The following question and answers are 
taken from a manual of Christian doctrine, 
twelfth edition, published by J. J. McVey, 
Philadelphia, Pa., which bears the Im- 
primatur,. Patritius Johannes, Archiepes- 
cous, Philadelphia, August 10, 1909. Read 
as textbook in Roman Catholic high 
schools. 


ay ae a ae 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 139 


Page 129, Question 92.—‘What power 
does the pope possess in their fullness?” 


Answer—‘“He possesses, first legislative 
power, which gives him the right to make 
for the whole church. such laws as are nec- 
essary for the spiritual welfare of souls. 


“2, Executive or administrative power, 
in virtue of which he governs the church 
with supreme authority, conformable to es- 
tablished laws; 


“3. Judiciary or co-active power, by 
which he can pronounce judgment on those 
who break the laws of the church and in- 
flict punishment on them.” 


Question 98—‘‘Does the pope possess 
none but spiritual power?” 

Answer—‘“He also possesses temporal 
power in the states of the church.” ; 


Question 98—“Why have the bishops, by 
divine right, the power to teach and gov- 
ern the faithful?” 

Answer—‘“‘Because they are, by divine 
right, successors of the apostles, just as 
the pope is succesor of St. Peter, the chief 
of the apostles.” 


140 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


Question 99—‘‘What powers have bishops 
in their dioceses?” 

Answer—““They have legislative, admin- 
istrative and judiciary or co-active power; 
in other words, they have, within the lim- 
its of their dioceses, the same. power that 
the pope exercises over the whole church.” 


Page 132, Question 115—“In what order 
or respect is the state subordinate to the 
church ?” 

Answer—‘In the spiritual order and in 
all things referring to that order.” 


Question 116—“What right has the pope 
in virtue of this supremacy ?” 

Answer—“The right to annul those laws 
or acts of government that would injure 
the salvation of souls or attach the natural 
rights of citizens.” 


Question 117—‘‘What more should the 
state do than respect the rights and the 
liberty of the church?” 

Answer—“The state should also aid, pro- 
tect and. defend the church.” 


Question 119—‘‘What then is the _ prin- 
cipal obligations of heads of states?” 


nti, satel al 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 141 


Answer—‘“Their principal obligation is 
to practice the Catholic religion themselves 
and as they are in power, to protect and 
defend it.” 


Question 120—‘“Has the state the right 
and the duty to proscribe schism or her- 
esy ?” 


Answer—‘“‘Yes, it has the right and duty 
to do so, both for the good of the nation 
and that of the faithful themselves, for re- 
ligious unity is the principal foundation of 
social unity.” 


Question 122—“‘May the state separate 
itself from the church?” 

Answer—‘“No, because it may not with- 
draw from the supreme rule of Christ.” 


Question 124—“Why is liberalism to be 
condemned ?” 


Answer—‘“1. Because it denies all sub- 
ordination of the state to the church; 2, 
because it confounds liberty with right; 3, 
because it despises the social dominion of 
Christ, and rejects the benefits derived 
therefrom.” 


Bishop Joseph Schrembs of Toledo, Ohio, 


142 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


declared that the “true Catholic may be 
known as one whose Catholicity dominates 
his business, his society and his politics.” 


“Catholic voters throughout the United 
States were urged, at a mass meeting of 
the German Catholic Verein here last 
night, to unite and cast their influence at 
the polls, where it will subserve the high 
and holp principle for which Catholics 
stand. 


“James Ziof, president of the Gonzaga 
Union of St. Louis, who made the appeal, 
declared there were at least 2,000,000 Cath- 
olic voters in this country. ‘Quite a force,’ 
he said, ‘for the bringing about of proper 
conditions.’ ”—Daily Press report, Aug. 23, 
1916, of the Convention of the American 
Federation of Catholic Societies, held in 
New York City. 


“Everybody has read the reports of the 
Federation of Catholic Societies and knows 
what the organization is doing. Without 
this federation, Catholics would not have 
any influence in Washington; but their 
strength is recognized and the powers need 
the Catholic vote. As a result, all are care- 


\ 





BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 143 


ful to avoid anti-Catholic legislation. At 
Springfield every bill that contains any- 
thing that might prove objectional to the 
Catholics is submitted to the chairman of 
the federation before it can advance in its 
course.”—August Rohrbacher, speaking be- 
fore the German Catholic Verein in Quincy, 
Ill., April 15, 1912. 


“The day is not far distant when Cath- 
olics, at the order of the pope, will refuse 
to pay the school tax and will send bullets 
into the breasts of the officials who attempt 
to collect them.”’—Msgr. Coppell. 


“The public school system is a swindle on 
the people, an outrage on justice, a foul dis- 
grace in matters of morals, and should be 
abolished.”—The New York Tablet. 


“The public schools have produced noth- 
ing but a Godless generation of thieves and 
blackguards.”—Priest Schaner. 


“We want to make of the press of this 
country a positive agency in the dissemina- 
tion of Catholic ideas. We have begun a 
movement in this direction and in order to 
insure its success, I beg the cooperation of 


144 BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


all the members of this congress. We are 
now furnishing on the first and third Sun- 
days of each month one column or a col- 
umn and a half of postive Catholic matter 
to daily papers in over twenty-five cities of 
the United States and Canada. If the far 
reaching value of this move is appreciated 
by our own people, there is no reason why 
this ‘column and a half of matter might not 
appear in every city in the land. I might 
add that we make no claim to extraordinary 
merit in the ‘copy’ that we supply gratis to 
the press.”—Rev. Wm. F. McGinnis, before 
Catholic Missionary Congress, 1908. 


“The Catholic editors of this country 
should concertedly and persistently urge 
their readers to notify the proprietors. and 
managers of the daily papers, that, unless 
they use, instead of the European des- 
patches of the Associated Press, those fur- 
nished by the newly established Catholic 
International United Telegraph Agency, 
they will withdraw their patronage from 
them either as readers or as advertisers and 
will, moreover, boycott the offending news- 
papers and those who advertise in them.” 


BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 145 


—Samuel Byrne, editor Pittsburgh Obser- 
ver (Catholic), in Catholic World, Novem- 
ber, 1912. 


“The pope is not only the representative 
of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ Him- 
self hidden under the veil of the flesh. Does 
the pope speak? It is Jesus Christ who 
speaks. Does the pope accord a favor or 
pronounce an anathema? It is Jesus 
Christ who pronounces the anathema or 
accords the favor. So that when the pope 
speaks, we have no business to examine; 
we have only to obey. We have no right 
to criticize his direction or discuss his com- 
mands. Therefore, everyone who would 
wear the crown ought to submit himself to 
divine right.’”’—Archbishop of Venice, who 
became Pius X. 


“Protestantism is not a_ religion—never 
was a religion. The most that could ever 
be said of it was that it was a form of rape 
and robbery masquerading as a religion, 
and a hypocrisy . wearing the livery of 
Christianity to serve the seven deadly sins 
in. We must not forget that three-fourths of 
the people of the United States are unbap- 


146. BEHIND CONVENT WALLS 


tized heathens, and in a world of that relig- 
ious complexion the position of the church 
of God must always be precarious.”—The 
Western Watchman, Nov. 12, 1914, Page 10. 


“A church in politics is.contrary to one 
of the leading fundamental principles of 
Americanism. It is, therefore, for the sole 
purpose of keeping religion out of politics. | 
Open the doors of the convents and sectar- 
ian reformatories of Rome, that citizens » 
may know whether the closed walled struc- 
tures are better than those _ institutions 
which were proven to be harems for lecher- 
ous priests; let the knights of the cow! en- 
ter into lawful wedlock, if they insist upon 
having ‘all the comforts of home.’ 


“Rome never changes!’’ 


One who attended the Ucaristic Congress 
in Chicago, Ill., 1926, claims that the Cath- 
olic people took Old Glory and over the last 
‘two bars sewed yellow bars which are the 
colors of the Pope. | 


Where were we Americans to allow such 
a disgrace to our Flag? 


REMEMBER 


Every Criminal, Every Gambler, Every 
Thug, Every Libertine, Every Girl Ruiner, 
Every Home Wrecker, Every Wife Beater, 
Every Dope Peddler, Every Bootlegger, 
Every Crooked Politician, Every Pagan 
Papist Priest, Every Shyster Lawyer, 
Every K. of C., Every White Slaver, Every 
Brothel Madam, Every Rome Controlled 
Newspaper is Fighting the Klan. Think 
it over. 


Which Side Are You On? 


TO Mi 


1 1012 








